Blue Jays Closer to Rehab with Fisher Cats

Former Fisher Cat Casey Janssen set to begin rehab assignment tonight

By New Hampshire Fisher Cats

May 5, 2014

MANCHESTER, N.H. - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, in conjunction with their parent club, the Toronto Blue Jays, announced that right-handed pitcher Casey Janssen will begin a major league rehab assignment tonight in New Hampshire. The Blue Jays closer will start the series opener for the Fisher Cats tonight in his first rehab assignment since being placed on the Blue Jays' disabled list prior to opening day with an oblique injury.

Janssen had perhaps his best professional season with the Blue Jays in 2013, his first full year as the team's closer. He converted 34 of 36 save opportunities, setting a franchise record with a 94.4 save percentage. He also won four games while posting a 2.56 earned run average. His 34 saves ranked 10th among American League relievers last year, and he has converted 56 of 60 save chances since being named the Blue Jays closer on May 9, 2012.

Drafted by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2004 draft out of UCLA, Janssen made his New Hampshire debut a year later, posting a 3-3 record and 2.93 ERA in nine starts. The following season he was in the major leagues, debuting on April 27 against the Baltimore Orioles. Over the course of the 2006 season, he pitched in 19 games with Toronto (17 starts), and picked up six wins.

When healthy, Janssen has been one of baseball's most consistent relievers. Since the start of the 2011 season, he has posted three straight seasons with a sub-2.60 ERA, appearing in at least 55 games in each of those seasons. He has an 11-2 record in that time with 58 saves.

In addition to the 2005 season, Janssen pitched in New Hampshire briefly in 2009 and made another MLB rehab assignment in 2011. He has shown outstanding command during his minor league and major league career, posting a 2.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio over ten professional seasons.

Janssen's rehab assignment leaves the Fisher Cats with 25 roster players plus one MLB rehab. An updated roster is below.

Tonight's game against Binghamton begins at 6:35 p.m. Janssen will be followed out of the bullpen by pitcher Scott Copeland. Radio coverage of tonight's game begins at 6:15 with Tom Gauthier and Bob Lipman. Game notes are linked below.