Casey Janssen (back) is not expected to be activated from the disabled list on Sunday when first eligible.

The good news is that Janssen threw a bullpen session Sunday and is slated for another one Wednesday. He'll need a short rehab assignment but could be activated sometime next week. "I'll have to go down to rehab somewhere, but hopefully shortly thereafter," he said. "The hardest part is staying within that comfort zone, but still progressing. You want to go fast, but you don't want to go fast and have a setback. That's the tricky part."

Casey Janssen (back) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

If it goes well, he could be cleared for a minor league rehab assignment. Janssen was placed on the 15-day disabled list at the end of spring training with a left abdominal strain. He should be activated next week. Sergio Santos will continue to fill in at closer for now.

Casey Janssen (back) played long-toss from 120 feet Thursday.

It's the first time he's done so since being placed on the disabled list with a lower back strain. Janssen is expected to long-toss a few more times before being cleared to throw off a mound. While the Blue Jays haven't set a timetable for the closer's return, they're hoping he'll be ready on April 13 when first eligible.

Casey Janssen will be shut down from throwing until the tightness in his side clears up.

Janssen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a left abdominal strain and could need around three full weeks of recovery time. Sergio Santos will be filling in at closer for the Blue Jays in the early going.

Blue Jays placed RHP Casey Janssen on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 29, with a left abdominal/lower back strain.

It's not clear when Janssen suffered the injury or how long he'll be sidelined. The reliever also dealt with shoulder issues this spring, as he was limited to just three spring outings. The Blue Jays will presumably use Sergio Santos in the ninth inning while Janssen is out, though Steve Delabar could also get a look.

Casey Janssen finally made his spring debut Monday, allowing a pair of singles in a scoreless inning against the Phillies.

According to the National Post's John Lott, Janssen topped out at 86 mph in this one. The Jays opted to bring Janssen along slowly following some early shoulder soreness, but they're still planning on him being the closer on Opening Day. He'll get a couple of more innings of work this week first.

Casey Janssen (shoulder) threw live batting practice Tuesday.

Janssen was shut down early on in camp with shoulder soreness, but he's feeling good now. The plan calls for him to take two days off before making his spring debut Friday. He should still have enough time to be ready for the season, where he'll serve as the Jays' closer. It's worth noting that Janssen went through a similar process last spring and enjoyed a fine season.

Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker Casey Janssen (shoulder) "felt great" during a bullpen session Saturday.

It was his second 'pen session since the closer was shut down early on in camp with shoulder soreness. "He looked good today, felt great today," said Walker. "He's on pace to certainly open the season with us. He's on a little different schedule than everybody else. He's going to throw live BP on Tuesday and then he'll be pitching in games after that (likely get into four spring games). But he felt great today and it's all systems go."

Casey Janssen (shoulder) will resume throwing this week.

Janssen was shut down Saturday in camp after reporting some soreness in his right shoulder. The Blue Jays called that move precautionary, but this remains a situation worth monitoring throughout the spring. Sergio Santos is probably next in line for saves in Toronto.

Casey Janssen will be given the next few days off as he's nursing a sore shoulder.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Saturday that it was nothing to worry about and the team just wanted to play it cautiously with their closer. With a capable replacement like Sergio Santos waiting in the wings, Janssen's grip on the closer role could become more tenuous with each missed day.

Blue Jays exercised RHP Casey Janssen's $4 million option for 2014.

It was a no-brainer, as Janssen's first season as a full-time closer was a dandy. The right-hander has posted a 2.55 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 117/24 K/BB ratio across 116 1/3 frames the last two seasons while converting 56 of 61 save chances. He should be an elite closer again in 2014 before hitting free agency the following winter.

Casey Janssen 30th save of the season in the Blue Jays' win over the Orioles on Saturday.

Janssen gave up a two-out single to Nate McLouth but made a nice backhanded play on the next batter -- Manny Machado -- to erase the threat and end the game. He has a 2.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 44/13 K/BB ratio in 49 innings.

Casey Janssen earned his 29th save of the season Sunday in the Blue Jays' win over the Twins.

Janssen struck out two during a scoreless ninth inning. The right-hander has earned saves in seven consecutive appearances dating back to August 25. The only run he allowed in that stretch was an ultimately harmless solo homer to Josmil Pinto on Friday when Janssen had a two-run cushion to work with. The 31-year-old has blown only two save opportunities this year and boasts a 2.81 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

Casey Janssen worked himself into a jam on Friday, allowing a pair of singles in the ninth inning, before escaping with his 25th save of the season.

It isn't always the cleanest inning, but more times than not Janssen manages to get the job done. He's firmly entrenched himself as the Blue Jays' closer, posting a 2.86 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 38/12 K/BB in 44 innings on the year while converting 25 of his 27 save chances.

Casey Janssen escaped a bases-loaded jam to earn his 23rd save of the year against the Astros on Sunday.

Jannsen solicited ground outs from Chris Carter and Matt Dominguez to begin the inning, but then the fun began. Nursing a 2-1 lead, Jannsen gave up two walks and a single to the next three batters before coaxing a game-ending grounder from Cody Clark to end the game. Jannsen has hurled four straight shutout innings since he was spanked for four earned runs in August 12th's loss to the Athletics. He's 23-for-25 in save conversions and has produced a 3.00 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 45 appearances.

Casey Janssen was shelled for four earned runs in Monday's late loss to the visiting Athletics.

Janssen entered a 1-1 game in the top of the ninth inning and did not look comfortable, coughing up four hits and a walk while notching only two outs as the A's rallied for a 5-1 victory. Janssen has hit a few speed bumps lately but the right-hander is not yet in danger of losing his ninth-inning gig. He has 21 saves this season.

Casey Janssen allowed a solo homer to Josh Reddick on Saturday, but still managed to convert his 21st save of the season.

Janssen was tasked with preserving a two-run advantage, but was promptly greeted by the solo homer from Reddick. He got into even more of a jam afterwards, allowing singles to Alberto Callaspo and Coco Crisp before bearing down and getting the job done. He's now converted 21 of his 23 save chances on the season while posting a 2.41 ERA.

Casey Janssen has allowed four runs -- three earned -- over two July innings.

Janssen was pulled from a save opportunity on Wednesday against the Indians, which ended up giving him his first hold of the season and Steve Delabar his first save. Janssen hasn't recorded a save since June 22. He's still sitting on a nice 2.83 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, and Janssen has only blown one save chance, so we don't believe his job is in jeopardy. If he continues to struggle, however, Toronto has in Delabar one of the major's most effective relievers in 2013.

Casey Janssen blew his first save of the season Saturday against the Rangers.

Janssen got Jeff Baker to ground out after entering the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead, but he allowed a single to Leonys Martin and walked David Murphy before giving up an RBI single to A.J. Pierzynski and a game-tying sacrifice fly to Elvis Andrus. He was a perfect 13-for-13 in save chances coming into Saturday's game, so he was probably due for a clunker. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is being careful with his workload, but use him with confidence moving forward.

Casey Janssen threw a scoreless inning of relief Friday in the Blue Jays' loss to the Padres.

Janssen retired the side in order in the 11th inning and had two strikeouts. He registered his 11th save of the season Wednesday, but missed time earlier this week due to shoulder soreness.