Jesse Litsch was knocked around by the Red Sox Friday, giving up four runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings.

It's his worst start in what has been a terrific spring up to this point. Litsch's ERA jumped up to 4.09, but he still boasts a 20/3 K/BB ratio over 22 spring innings. He was pretty much locked into a rotation spot even before Brandon Morrow's injury.

Jesse Litsch yielded two runs in 3 2/3 innings Thursday in a win over the Twins.

Litsch, who had thrown five scoreless innings entering the day, is supposed to have emerged as the favorite to serve as the Jays' fifth starter, though Marc Rzepczynski would be the more interesting fantasy pitcher.

The Toronto Sun's Ken Fidlin thinks Jesse Litsch has gained "some separation" on the field for the No. 5 starter job with his spring performance thus far.

Litsch has tossed five shutout innings, giving up just one hit, walking no one and striking out four. His bid for the job was helped Friday by Marc Rzepczynski getting pummeled for three runs over 2/3 of an innings. Litsch should finally be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery and could recapture the form that allowed him to post a 3.67 ERA over his first two seasons.

Blue Jays pitching coach Bruce Walton thinks Jesse Litsch is finally fully healthy after struggling in his first year post-Tommy John surgery in 2010.

"Jesse is closer now to where he once was than he's ever been," said Walton. "He came back last year post-surgery and the arm dragged a little bit. He had some difficulty finding his consistency. I've already seen more arm speed from him in a couple of sessions this spring than I saw last year." Litsch will compete primarily with Kyle Drabek, Marc Rzepczynski, Scott Richmond and Zach Stewart for one of the final two spots in the rotation, though Drabek is a heavy favorite for one of the spots. He has the most experience of the group, and despite less than overpowering stuff, posted a 3.67 ERA over his first two seasons before the injury bug bit him.

Blue Jays and RHP Jesse Litsch avoided arbitration on Monday by agreeing to a one-year, $830,000 contract.

Litsch was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. The 25-year-old right-hander returned from Tommy John surgery to post a 5.79 ERA and 16/15 K/BB ratio over 46 2/3 innings with the Blue Jays in 2010. His season came to an unfortunate end in August due to a right hip injury which later required surgery, but he is expected to compete with Marc Rzepczynski and Zach Stewart for the final spot in the starting rotation.

Blue Jays activated RHP Jesse Litsch from the 60-day disabled list.

The 25-year-old Litsch posted a 1-5 record, 5.79 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over nine starts for Toronto this year. He tore a muscle in his hip in August and never fully recovered but should be fine by the start of spring training next year. Litsch is a longshot candidate for the Jays' 2011 rotation.

Blue Jays transferred RHP Jesse Litsch to the 60-day disabled list.

Litsch hit the disabled list in early August with a torn muscle in his right hip and the assumption was that he would not return this season. That assumption was confirmed by this transfer. Litsch, 25, posted a 1-5 record, 5.79 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in nine starts for the Jays this season.

Jesse Litsch made one start after an MRI was taken of the right hip injury that has ended his season.

An MRI was taken of Litsch's hip Friday and he made his next scheduled start on Sunday. The results of the MRI were read Monday and then forwarded along to a specialist, and Friday the decision was made for Litsch to have season-ending surgery to repair a labral tear. The right-hander said that he could pitch with the injury, but he wanted to have the surgery now so that he would be ready for spring training next year.

Blue Jays placed RHP Jesse Litsch on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 2, with right hip labral tear.

Odds are that he's done for the year. Brad Mills, who was terrific in a spot start last month, will be recalled to replace him in the rotation and start Saturday's game against the Rays.

Jesse Litsch earned his victory since September 28, 2008 by hurling 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a win over the Royals on Tuesday night.

Litsch gave up eight hits -- all of them singles -- while striking out none and walking none. He held the Royals off the board until a two-out RBI single by Alberto Callaspo in the sixth, his final batter of the night. Litsch never missed many bats in the past, but he has just 12 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings (2.89 K/9) through his first seven starts this season. Tuesday's start notwithstanding, he's just not a very good fantasy option.

Jesse Litsch took a loss against the Red Sox on Sunday after allowing three runs in seven innings of work.

Litsch looked strong in the outing while striking out five, walking one, and giving up just four hits. However, two of those hits were back-to-back homers in the sixth inning to account for all three Red Sox runs. Litsch has the potential to be of use in AL-only leagues or deep mixed leagues, but he's mostly struggled since returning from Tommy John surgery and figures to be a better bet in 2011.

Jesse Litsch yielded five runs over 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday night in Toronto's loss to the Twins.

This might be the end for Litsch as a member of the Jays rotation. He was on thin ice to begin with and tonight he gave away a three-run lead, surrendering two homers and two walks while failing to strike out a batter.

With his spot in the rotation on the line, Jesse Litsch yielded two earned runs over six innings while taking a loss in Cleveland.

Litsch surrendered just four hits while striking out two and walking two. In his four starts this season, Litsch has been rocked by the Rockies and Phillies this year but fared well against the Giants and now the Indians. He'll need to show more consistency against good lineups before he's on the radar in fantasy.

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston confirmed Saturday that Jesse Litsch is in danger of losing his spot in the starting rotation.

Litsch was shelled for six earned runs in four innings on Friday and has an 8.78 ERA in three starts this season. "Do you keep going with him and let him learn, let him get it back here, or do you send him out?" said Gaston. "I think whatever's good for him, we're going to try to do."

Jesse Litsch was hammered for six earned runs in four innings Friday as the Blue Jays lost to the Phillies.

Litsch will have his fair share of ups and downs as he continues to reacquainted with the big leagues after spending the last year recovering from the Tommy John surgery. This was most definitely a down. He allowed seven hits, issued four walks and did not strike out a single Philadelphia hitter.

Jesse Litsch tossed seven shutout innings as part of a no-decision against the Giants on Saturday afternoon.

Quite a contrast to his season debut last Sunday. Litsch held the Giants to just three hits while striking out three and walking none. He threw 57 out of 94 pitches for strikes. He probably could have went further, but the Blue Jays have him on a pitch count as it was only his second major league start back from Tommy John surgery. He's not going to strike many batters out, but remember that he is just two years removed from posting a 3.58 ERA. He's likely to emerge as a quality AL-only option before long.

Jesse Litsch, who was making his first start since returning from Tommy John surgery, was rocked for seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings against the Rockies on Sunday.

Pitching at Coors Field in your first outing back is about as bad of a setup as it gets, but Litsch didn't weather the storm well. He only walked one batter, but Litsch did give up nine hits, including two doubles and a homer. It's possible Litsch will emerge as an AL-only option in the second half, but he's to remain on waiver wires for now as he irons out the kinks.

Blue Jays activated RHP Jesse Litsch from the 60-day disabled list.

Litsch has been out all season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He has not looked good in a handful of rehab starts and should be avoided in fantasy leagues no matter the role he's assigned. The 25-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since last April.

Jays manager Cito Gaston said last week that Jesse Litsch (elbow) won't be activated from the DL until he shows that he can handle Triple-A hitters.

And rightly so. Litsch, recovering from Tommy John surgery, has allowed 23 runs in 17 1/3 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas. He's not striking batters out and would have real trouble battling hitters in the AL East at this point. Perhaps he can provide a boost in the second half of the season.

Jesse Litsch allowed three earned runs over six innings in a minor league rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Listch was hammered for eight runs on 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings last week, but Thursday's outing may have put him back in consideration for a start with the big club on Tuesday. "If you talk to people down there, he's probably throwing the ball better than anyone," said Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. Brian Tallet and Brad Mills are also possibilities. Litsch, 25, hasn't pitched in the majors since last April due to Tommy John surgery.