What It Means:

Osuna blew his MLB-worst 10th save of the season on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox, but Hale continues to support the 22-year-old right-hander. "He left some balls up and they put a good swing on it," Hale said. "Listen, this is a strong character young man. When an opportunity comes again, for me, see how you respond and, 'Here's the ball to be the closer.'" Manager John Gibbons is currently away from the club for personal reasons and not expected back until Friday, but if he elects to make a change in regards to ninth-inning duties, Ryan Tepera seems like a likely candidate.

Osuna owns a career-worst 3.66 ERA across 59 innings (61 appearances) this season, but his 2.66 xFIP and 32.5 strikeout percentage are both the best of his three-year tenure in the majors. His 35 saves are tied for 4th-most in baseball in 2017.