Casey Janssen is scheduled to throw off a mound Thursday for the first time since shoulder surgery. Janssen underwent right shoulder surgery in November in order to relieve discomfort in his his AC joint. Still, he expects to be ready for the season and is expected to get the opportunity to keep his closer job over Sergio Santos, who is also making his way back from shoulder surgery.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons announced Tuesday that Casey Janssen will enter the season as the team's closer.

Casey Janssen underwent right shoulder surgery on November 16 to relieve discomfort in his AC joint. While it would be better news if he didn't need the surgery at all, the Blue Jays expect him to be ready when spring training rolls around. Janssen was excellent in the closer role this past season, posting a 2.54 ERA and 67/11 K/BB ratio over 63 2/3 innings while going 22-for-25 in save chances.

Casey Janssen picked up his 14th straight save in Sunday's win over the Athletics. Janssen hasn't blown a save since April 14 and is sitting on a 2.11 ERA to go with a sparkling 0.82 WHIP. Even if Sergio Santos (shoulder) wasn't out for the season, Janssen would have a long leash leash here.

Casey Janssen nailed down his fourth save of the season in Monday's win over the Orioles. The Jays entered the ninth inning with a 6-0 lead, but Janssen had to come on to clean up Francisco Cordero's mess, getting a lineout and a groundout to end it. The right-hander has now retired all 11 batters he has faced when pitching in a save situation this season and should continue to be used in the ninth inning until Sergio Santos (shoulder) is ready.

Casey Janssen pitched a perfect ninth in a three-run game to earn a save Wednesday against the A's. Janssen had about as easy an assignment as one could ask for in his first opportunity to serve as Toronto's closer. We're surprised the Jays picked him over Jason Frasor, but he is the better reliever of the two. He should be good for at least a few more saves before Sergio Santos returns.

Casey Janssen will serve as the Blue Jays' closer until Sergio Santos (shoulder) returns from the disabled list. Francisco Cordero was removed from the role after blowing his third save of the season Tuesday night. Janssen has posted a 5.23 ERA in his first 10 appearances this season, but he also has an impressive 11/1 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings and owns a 3.21 ERA since the start of the 2010 season. Santos should be back by the end of the month, but Janssen makes for a pretty nice short-term pickup in all fantasy formats.

Casey Janssen took the loss on Thursday after giving up two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning against the Orioles. He entered a tied game in the seventh frame with runners on first and third, and proceeded to strike out J.J. Hardy and then coax Nick Markakis into an inning-ending ground out. But Adam Jones started the eighth with his sixth home run, which proved to be the difference. After a stellar 2011, Janssen has looked shaky this year, having yielded runs in four of his past five relief appearances.

The Red Sox touched Casey Janssen on Tuesday for two runs on three hits and a walk in an inning of work. 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.

Blue Jays and RHP Casey Janssen avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year, $5.9 million contract with a $4 million option for 2014. The new deal buys out his final year of arbitration and potentially his first two years of free agency. Janssen, 30, posted a 2.26 ERA and 53/14 K/BB ratio over 55 2/3 innings last season. Though he was likely a little fortunate with his strand and home run rates, he should remain a solid set-up man for Toronto.