Casey

Janssen

After starting his career 5-3 with a 3.07 ERA, Janssen managed just one quality start in his final eight turns through the rotation. He might be ready to settle in as a fourth starter next year.

He struck out three and walked two. Janssen has just 19 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings, but he’s been effective anyway, amassing a 3.25 ERA. He’s worth using next week when he gets the Devil Rays for the third time in five starts.

The Blue Jays putting out a weak defensive team behind him certainly didn’t help, but Janssen deserved most of the blame after walking four and giving up 11 hits. The outing raised his ERA from 3.66 to 4.50, a much more appropriate level for someone with his skillset. He’s not worth using against the Mets next time out.

Janssen was at just 87 pitches when he was removed shortly after a Julio Lugo double and a Russell Branyan homer in the sixth. He’s pitched better than expected, but quick hooks his last two times out suggest that John Gibbons doesn’t have complete confidence in him.

Janssen got some revenge by outdueling Kris Benson tonight. He lost his first two major league starts, both of which came against the Orioles and featured Benson as the opposing starter. Janssen is 5-3 with a 3.07 ERA since being recalled. He’ll almost certainly face the Orioles and Benson again next time out.

He was bound to turn back into a pumpkin at some point. Three starts ago Janssen was sporting a nifty 3.07 ERA in 55 2/3 innings with the big club. However, his peripherals suggested that lofty ERA wasn’t for real. Since then he’s been hit hard by the Orioles, Marlins, and Mets to raise his ERA to 4.76. That’s much more in line with this true talent level.

The offense gave him eight runs to work with in the first two innings, and Janssen didn’t have a problem protecting such a big lead. The right-hander gave up five hits, walked two, and struck out three while needing 107 pitches to retire the 18 batters. He can’t be used against the Rangers in Arlington next week.

Janssen is 6-7 with a 4.77 ERA after struggling in four of his last five outings. The Jays will be looking for a pitcher at the trade deadline, and Janssen will be one of the candidates to be bumped from the rotation if they get one.

Santos, who is currently working his way back from shoulder inflammation, just began playing catch last week. He’ll need to progress to throwing from 120-150 feet before getting back on a mound. Late May or early June is likely the best-case scenario for his return and Casey Janssen will continue to fill in for now.

He managed to strike out the side, including David Ortiz with the tying run on deck. As a result, Francisco Cordero might have tightened his grip on earning save opportunities while closer Sergio Santos is out Thursday and Friday.