by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen allowed an RBI single to James Loney in the ninth to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead Wednesday. Janssen gave up a run on two hits with a strikeout. The Blue Jays scored in the bottom half to send the game into extra innings, so Janssen had a no-decision.
Janssen has allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk in his last two appearances to raise his ERA to 2.40 from 0.69.
Blue Jays keeping close eye on Casey Janssen
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/21/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen will continue to be monitored closely this season by Toronto, MLB.com reports. Following offseason shoulder surgery, Janssen has good days and bad days.
His health can fluctuate depending on the day, but he's thus far been sharp on the mound for the Blue Jays and manager John Gibbons.
"We have to be conscious of it," Gibbons said. "It doesn't make it easy for us, you want to get him steady work, [relievers] all need steady work to really stay sharp; you have to pick your spots."
Casey Janssen a bit rusty after long layoff
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/20/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen took the mound in the ninth inning Monday against the Rays for the first time since May 11, even though a save chance wasn't on the line. Janssen, however, looked rusty after the long layoff.
He allowed four runners to reach base and gave up a two-run homer to Yunel Escobar in a 7-5 win for Toronto. Janssen was charged with two runs on three hits and one walk, while striking out one.
It was just the second time in 14 outings Janssen allowed a run this season. His ERA jumped from 0.69 to 1.93.
Casey Janssen earns 10th save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen notched his 10th save on Saturday in Boston. Janssen gave up a hit in the ninth but still needed just 10 pitches to put away the Red Sox.
The hit Janssen allowed Saturday was the first he'd given up since allowing two back on April 13 in Kansas City. He has recorded 13 Ks this year over 13 innings.
Casey Janssen notches another save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen recorded a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout Tuesday night during a win at Tampa Bay. Janssen picked up his ninth save for Toronto.
He went 1-2-3 with a strikeout over 10 pitches. Janssen's ERA is at 0.75, as he hasn't allowed a run since April 13 at Kansas City, his only run allowed this year. Janssen has 13 Ks over 12 innings.
Casey Janssen shuts door on Rays
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen entered in the bottom of the ninth in Tampa Bay Monday with an 8-7 lead and went 1-2-3 for Toronto to earn his eighth save. Janssen struck out one and needed only 10 pitches.
He's 8 for 8 in save situations with 12 Ks over 11 innings. Janssen hasn't allowed a run since giving up his only one of the season on April 13 in Kansas City.
Casey Janssen earns seventh save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen went 1-2-3 in the ninth at home Tuesday against the Red Sox for his seventh save. Janssen needed only 12 pitches to get the job done.
Janssen hasn't allowed a base hit in five-straight appearances and he's struck out 11 in nine innings. He's gone 7 for 7 in save situations for Toronto.
Casey Janssen still not 100 percent
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen still isn't 100 percent healthy following offseason surgery on his right shoulder, MLB.com reported Thursday.
"There are days when it just doesn't feel good," Janssen said. "You can't always play catch like you want to, or get loose as fast as you want to, but nothing that's going to set me back or re-injure [the shoulder]."
Janssen has converted all six of his save chances and carries a 1.13 ERA with a 0.37 WHIP through his first eight innings of work.
Casey Janssen Ks two for sixth save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen pitched the bottom of the 11th inning on Wednesday in Baltimore. He earned his sixth save.
Janssen went 1-2-3 in the inning over 14 pitches with two strikeouts. Up to 11 Ks on the year over his first eight innings, Janssen has gone 6 for 6 in save situations. His ERA is at 1.13 and his WHIP is fantastic at 0.38.
The 31-year-old Janssen seemed have a little Mariano Rivera in him as his cutter kept coming in on the Orioles hitters.
Casey Janssen solid in ninth for Toronto
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen pitched the ninth inning in a tie ballgame Saturday against the Yankees.
Toronto tied the score in the bottom of the eighth and Janssen kept it that way, though New York would win in 11 innings.
Janssen struck out a batter in a perfect inning. He needed 10 pitches.
Casey Janssen closes out White Sox
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen entered Thursday's contest against the White Sox in the ninth inning with a two-run advantage.
Janssen only needed eight pitches to retire the side in order and secure his fifth save of the season. The right-hander pitched a perfect inning and improved his ERA to 1.50 though his first six innings of work this season.
Casey Janssen up to four saves
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen earned his fourth save Monday as he closed out a 4-3 home win over the White Sox. Janssen went 1-2-3 in the ninth inning on 15 pitches.
Janssen struck out the first two batters he faced in the inning and induced a ground ball to shortstop to end the game. His ERA after five appearances is 1.80 after he'd allowed his first run in his last outing at Kansas City. He still managed to earn a save in that game.
Casey Janssen hangs on for third save
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen entered Saturday's contest against the Royals in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. The right-hander retired the first two batters before Chris Getz hit a single.
After Getz went to second on fielder's indifference, Alex Gordon drove him in with a base hit.
Janssen was able to get Alcides Escobar to fly out to right field, however, to end the threat and secure a 3-2 win.
He has converted all three of his save chances while striking out six in four innings pitched.
Casey Janssen earns second save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen recorded his second save on Wednesday in a rain-soaked win at Detroit. Janssen closed out the 8-6 win with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Needing just 11 pitches, eight of which were strikes, Janssen struck out two batters in his perfect frame.
Janssen has earned saves in back-to-back ballgames and has allowed just one hit over three innings this year with five Ks.
Casey Janssen throws back-to-back days, picks up save
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen was called upon in a save opportunity Thursday against the Indians despite pitching the previous day, and he recorded two strikeouts in a perfect inning to secure his first save of the year.
The team seemed hesitant to use Janssen on back-to-back days while he was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but showed no reluctance to go to him Thursday with a save on the line. It would be extremely surprising to see him pitch Friday, however.
Casey Janssen makes 2013 debut in 10th inning
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Toronto closer Casey Janssen pitched the top of the 10th inning on Wednesday night at home against Cleveland. The Blue Jays' ninth-inning guy made his first appearance of the season in the extra-inning game.
Janssen allowed a base hit in his inning of work, but got three outs to extend the game to the bottom of the 10th. Janssen struck out a batter and threw 15 pitches, 10 for strikes.
The 31-year-old Janssen, who has worked his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, appears to be healthy after his first appearance of 2013.
Casey Janssen making final preparations
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Blue Jays relief pitcher Casey Janssen remained in Florida to pitch against minor-league players rather than travel with the team to Philadelphia for Saturday's exhibition game. Janssen, who was limited by a shoulder issue earlier this spring, is expected to join the team for Monday's workout at Rogers Centre.
Barring any setbacks, he is poised to assume the closer role for Toronto to begin the regular season after firing two scoreless outings during the spring.
Casey Janssen makes minor-league appearance
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Blue Jays reliever Casey Janssen made an appearance in a minor-league game Wednesday, facing six batters and throwing 18 pitches, according to the Canadian website Sportsnet.
"I threw some good sliders today, that was one of the pitches that I (wanted) to see something," Janssen told Sportsnet. "A couple (curveballs) I threw weren’t what I would have hoped, and the last few were more straight down and a little tighter spin. I’m a command guy, I’ve got to have those pitches, throw them at any time, it’s close."
Janssen will make one more minor-league appearance this weekend. He is tentatively expected to be ready for opening day.
Time to get excited about Casey Janssen again
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/25/2013) He may have only two spring appearances under his belt, but Blue Jays right-hander Casey Janssen, who is working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, already has declared himself ready to go for the season, which leads me to believe he'll be filling the role he was supposed to have all along: closer.
After all, he struck out the side on 10 pitches in his second Grapefruit League appearance Monday against the Phillies. If that's not midseason form, I don't know what is.
With all the improvements the Blue Jays made to their starting rotation this offseason, I really like Janssen this year. Just look at his WHIP last year. With a reasonably high number of save opportunities, he would have been a top-five reliever. I cooled on him when his slow recovery seemed to pushing the Blue Jays toward Sergio Santos, but now, all is right the world again.
Janssen is the closer for (presumably) one of the best teams in baseball, yet he might be the 27th reliever taken in your league. Sounds like a bargain to me.
Casey Janssen strikes out side
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/25/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen, who manager John Gibbons said Monday will be ready for opening day, pitched an inning against the Phillies on Monday in Grapefruit League action.
Janssen struck out the side in a perfect seventh inning. Janssen, who had surgery in November to address lingering shoulder soreness, debuted Friday against the Red Sox and noted only general soreness following the appearance. After Monday, all systems appear to be a go for opening day for the hurler.
Gibbons: Casey Janssen will be ready for opening day
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/25/2013) Toronto manager John Gibbons said Monday that he believes Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen will be ready for opening day, the National Post reports.
Janssen, who had surgery in November to address lingering shoulder soreness, made his spring debut Friday against the Red Sox and noted only general soreness following the appearance.
"I've got no doubts," Gibbons said of Janssen's availability for the opener. The closer is expected to throw an inning in a Grapefruit League game Monday.
Casey Janssen expected for opening day
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) A day after making his spring debut with a scoreless inning against the Red Sox, Blue Jays relief pitcher Casey Janssen said Saturday he was feeling some general body soreness. He is scheduled to pitch Monday, and manager John Gibbons said he expects the right-hander to be ready for opening day. Janssen, who had 22 saves last season, had surgery in November to address lingering shoulder soreness.
"I think we're working towards that, and I think that's everybody's hope," Janssen said. "We're taking it outing by outing, day by day. See how it goes Monday. It's not doubt. I don't want to give false hope. I'm probably more than a little on the conservative side."
Casey Janssen pitches clean inning Wednesday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) Blue Jays reliever Casey Janssen made it through an inning of work in a minor-league game Wednesday without reporting any setbacks. He's scheduled to pitch for the Blue Jays against the Red Sox Friday and, if all goes well, could be on track to make the team's opening-day roster.
The team's closer for much of 2012, Janssen is trying to hold off Sergio Santos to remain the Blue Jays' first option for saves.
Casey Janssen keeping opener in sights
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Blue Jays relief pitcher Casey Janssen is scheduled to appear in a minor-league game Wednesday, the latest step in his recovery from a shoulder injury, MLB.com reported. If the right-hander is able to complete the workout problem-free, he could progress to a Grapefruit League game next week, pitching coach Pete Walker said. Janssen remains questionable for the start of the season, leaving Sergio Santos as the leading option to assume the closer role after spring training.
Casey Janssen gets back on mound
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Toronto closer Casey Janssen pitched in a minor-league game on Sunday for his first appearance since recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
The National Post reports everything went well for Janssen in the outing and now he faces a critical week that will determine whether or not he'll be able to break camp with the Blue Jays.
Last year's closer, Janssen is working his way back from surgery as he faced four Phillies minor leaguers Sunday. He retired all of them on 16 pitches, 11 strikes. He threw mostly fastballs and a few changeups and said everything went well.
"I have my good days," he said. "I have some not-amazing days. But hopefully those are becoming less and less. I’m getting there."
The Toronto Sun hinted that Sergio Santos, and not Janssen, was the leading candidate to close this season for the Blue Jays, but that is mostly due to the fact that Santos is healthier at the moment.
The Blue Jays remain uncertain whether Janssen will be ready by opening day.
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Sunday constitutes a big day for Toronto closer Casey Janssen, reports the National Post. Janssen is pitching in a minor-league game for the first time since recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
The Toronto Sun hinted that Sergio Santos, and not Janssen, was the leading candidate to close this season for the Blue Jays, but that is mostly due to the fact that Santos is healthier at the moment.
The Blue Jays remain uncertain whether Janssen will be ready by opening day.
Sergio Santos cutting into Casey Janssen's value
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/15/2013) Wait, Sergio Santos and not Casey Janssen will close for the Blue Jays to begin the year?
That's what the Toronto Sun says. Considering manager John Gibbons declared Janssen his closer in early February, I'm thinking the Sun is just assuming the 31-year-old right-hander will not have recovered from his offseason shoulder surgery in time.
Still, it cuts into his sleeper appeal a good bit. It's kind of like the Ryan Madson-Ernesto Frieri situation in Los Angeles. If Santos performs well in the role to begin the year, who's to say he won't keep it?
I still trust Janssen a little more than Madson, but I can understand letting him slip past Jonathan Broxton and Addison Reed now.
Sergio Santos the favorite to close?
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013)Sergio Santos appears to be the "leading candidate" to begin this season as the Blue Jays closer, according to the Toronto Sun. The Sun adds that between Santos and Casey Janssen, Santos is "further down the road to full recovery."
Janssen continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery and has yet to see action this spring, while Santos has pitched three innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk and recording three strikeouts.
Casey Janssen closer to game action
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013) MLB.com reports Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen, who has yet to make a spring appearance as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, threw his first live batting practice session Thursday. Janssen, who posted a 2.54 ERA and recorded 22 saves last season, remains hopeful he will be ready for opening day.
"I felt all right," Janssen said. "It was good to get out there, good to compete. Still by no means a finished product, but it's another step in the right direction and it was nice to face some hitters and pick up the intensity again."
Still no timetable for Janssen
(3/9/2013) Blue Jays reliever Casey Janssen threw his third bullpen session of the spring on Saturday as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury. MLB.com reports the right-hander will continue to throw every third day but there is no timetable for when he will see game action. "It has been very good," Janssen said of his ability to recover after his bullpen sessions. "You're almost kind of wondering why it's feeling so good. But you don't want to look too much into it, because you want to look forward and you don't want to think about anything else. But, so far, so good -- and I'm pretty comfortable with where I'm at."
Janssen making progress
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/7/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen felt "fine" after throwing his second bullpen session of the spring Wednesday, according to MLB.com. Janssen is expected to see more work as he will throw another bullpen session Saturday and could advance to pitching against live hitters relatively soon, according to the report.
Janssen fine after mound work
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/5/2013) Toronto closer Casey Janssen threw off a mound on Sunday morning and has felt no ill effects since, reports MLB.com Tuesday. Janssen had thrown off the mound earlier in the spring but suffered a minor setback and was then limited to flat ground. "He felt good in that side session, felt good yesterday and feels good again today," pitching coach Pete Walker said of Janssen, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. "We're going to take a look at his schedule from here on out and see where he is. He's day to day right now. There could be adjustments daily."
Janssen working off flat ground
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/26/2013) Toronto closer Casey Janssen continues to throw from flat ground in an attempt to work out his kinks before he steps on a mound, reports MLB.com Tuesday. Janssen, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, put an end to throwing off a mound last week in a goal to build arm strength. "I just want to get back to throwing hard on flat ground," Janssen said. "We think the transition to the mound is going to be really, really quick. We're trying to extend the reps and the velocity, and then that transition will be fast."
Janssen to miss a week?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) Sportsnet reports Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said during a radio interview Monday the team expects closer Casey Janssen (shoulder) to be ready for the start of the season, but there's a chance he could miss the first week or two. If that happens, then Sergio Santos would likely replace Janssen in the closer's role.
Janssen on course for opener
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/20/2013) The National Post reports Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said he believes closer Casey Janssen is on track to be ready for opening day. Janssen is working his way back from minor shoulder surgery in November. “He’s coming along as expected,” Walker said. “It’s a little slow. We’re still hopeful he’s ready to start the season. If he’s not, then we’ll go to Plan B.” Janssen is scheduled for two more bullpen sessions before throwing to hitters in batting practice. “His schedule is subject to change at any time,” Walker said. “We’re just going to take it day by day, see how he’s feeling. Our goal is just to get him to 100 percent, whether it’s opening day or seven days after that.”
Janssen happy with 'pen outing
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/14/2013) Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, was pleased with his first bullpen session of the spring Thursday. “I’m happy where I’m at and as long as I don’t have a setback, I think I’m in a good spot. Just stay the course," he said, per Sportsnet. Janssen also described his shoulder having a "bit of crankiness" to the Toronto Sun, but says that he's still on pace to be 100 percent by March 16, per his doctors.
Janssen behind schedule
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/12/2013)The Toronto Sun reports Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen said he is slightly behind his normal spring training routine as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. “I’m a little behind, but not that far off where I can’t catch up,” Janssen said. “In years past, I’d come into spring with a half dozen bullpens done, but it’s a bit different now. But I’ve had that experience and I have a role here now and I’m not coming to camp trying to blow the doors off things in my first bullpen.” New manager John Gibbons continues to back Janssen as the team's closer, despite Sergio Santos being recovering from his own shoulder surgery. “We’ll see how things play out, but Casey, yes, he’s our guy,” Gibbons said. “He did a great job for us last year and he deserves to be back there."
Janssen to remain closer
(2/5/2013) Blue Jays manager John Gibbons announced on Tuesday that Casey Janssen will open the season as the closer. Janssen converted 22 of 25 save chances last season while posting a 2.54 ERA in 62 appearances. Sergio Santos was also being considered for the ninth-inning job. "We'll go with Casey -- he is coming off a great year," Gibbons said, per MLB.com. "Sergio missed the whole year, and that's big in this case. Especially a guy with the experience level he has. He's only been pitching for a couple of years." Janssen underwent surgery to alleviate soreness in the AC joint of his right shoulder in November but is expected to be ready for the beginning of spring training.
