Blue Jays begin season without closer Roberto Osuna

The Toronto Blue Jays took the wind out of their fans proverbial sails yesterday when they unexpectedly announced that closer Roberto Osuna would begin the 2017 campaign shelved with cervical spasms.

Blue Jays hurler Roberto Osuna last tossed on Friday evening in Montreal where he threw a scoreless inning versus the Pirates surrendering a hit and fanning a batter in his inning of work. Everything appeared status-quo with the reliever after the outing.

The closer was dealing with a stiff neck after his return from the World Baseball Classic, however, at that time the Blue Jays chalked it up to a sleeping issue while at the tourney and the injury was not deemed serious.

This latest injury will sideline the hurler for at least ten days and may explain the loss in velocity that Osuna was experiencing this spring. Osuna did manage to throw six scoreless innings in Grapefruit League action this spring after struggling at the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico.

According to TwinBoro.com, a cervical spasm is described as the following:

"A muscle spasm is a sudden and involuntary contraction, tightening, or shaking of a muscle. A spasm often occurs as a result of trauma, strain, overuse, weakness, or pain. In the cervical spine, a muscle spasm may or may not cause the head to turn or move without warning. A cervical muscle spasm that occurs close enough to the spinal cord or nerve roots can put pressure on important nerves. The nerves of the cervical spine provide sensation and motor control to the neck, shoulder, arm, and down to the hand"

The medical website advises the normal prognosis involves physical therapy, medication and/or injections to gradually recover from the spasms.

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The Blue Jays will lean on Jason Grilli to close out contests in the absence of Osuna. The 40-year old Grilli has 78 career saves last saving 24 games for the Atlanta Braves in 2015. The Jays may also lean on Joe Biagini if Grilli is not available as well.

Ryan Tepera and Dominic Leone will remain in the bullpen with Osuna being placed on the new 10-day disabled list and the waiving of Mike Bolsinger.

Next: Report: Blue Jays Release Melvin Upton Jr.

Hopefully, the rest of the bullpen troops can hold down the fort until their closer is nursed back to health in short order.