Kyle Drabek gave up five runs in five-plus innings Saturday in a loss to the Angels.

It was Drabek's improved command that led to such a nice April, but that was missing in action tonight. He walked five and threw just 52 of his 99 pitches for strikes. He actually managed to walk Vernon Wells in back-to-back plate appearances, doubling Wells' walk total for the year. It was just one bad day, so Drabek owners shouldn't get too down. Still, it wasn't pretty at all.

Kyle Drabek struggled with his command against the Royals on Friday, walking six and allowing two runs on four hits in his 5 2/3 innings.

Drabek struck out five on the night, but only threw 49 of his 100 pitches for strikes. He's still been very impressive through three starts, sitting with a 2-0 record and 1.96 ERA on the season, but he has to have better command of his pitches to have long term success in this league. He'll look to rebound against the Orioles in Baltimore next week.

Kyle Drabek turned in his second straight excellent start in Sunday's 8-2 win over the Orioles, allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk across 7 1/3 innings as he improved to 2-0.

He fanned six. It's been so far, so great for a former top prospect who entered 2012 at a career crossroads, as he's now the owner of a 1.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10/4 K/BB ratio through his first 12 2/3 innings. It's obviously far too early to draw any meaningful conclusions, but Drabek's upside makes him worth a flier in all formats. He'll get the Royals in Kansas City next weekend.

Kyle Drabek improved his standing for a rotation spot Tuesday by tossing five scoreless innings against the Yankees.

Drabek scattered five hits while fanning five and walking a pair. He now has a 3.14 ERA and 12/6 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 innings this spring and is the likely favorite for the fifth spot in the rotation if Dustin McGowan (foot) isn't ready.

Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com writes that if Kyle Drabek is sent to the minors as expected, he will open the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, not Double-A New Hampshire.

There was some thought that the Blue Jays would keep Drabek away from the hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League, especially after he took a real beating there last year, but that won't be the case. The 24-year-old right-hander has shown signs of improvement this spring, posting a 4.82 ERA and 7/4 K/BB ratio over 9 1/3 innings, but Dustin McGowan is expected to open the season as Toronto's fifth starter.

Kyle Drabek allowed two runs in 3 1/3 innings Wednesday in the Blue Jays' 6-3 defeat of the Orioles.

Drabek has given up five runs and four walks in 9 1/3 innings this spring. He's hardly embarrassed himself, but he probably hasn't done enough to avoid a trip back to Triple-A.

Kyle Drabek gave up three runs and four hits in two innings against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Drabek isn't in the Jays' plans for April, but a nice spring would help his chances of returning to the rotation sooner rather than later. This wasn't a very good start.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Blue Jays could field offers for Kyle Drabek this offseason.

It would be a strange time to sell on Drabek after the former top prospect held a 6.06 ERA in the majors and a 7.44 ERA at the Triple-A level in 2011. But, if another team is still willing to give them an impact starter for the 23-year-old, perhaps they will consider it. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun reported last month that the Yankees have expressed interest in Drabek.

The Yankees have expressed interest in Kyle Drabek, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.

Drabek was a complete disaster in 2011, posting a 6.06 ERA in the majors and a 7.44 ERA at the Triple-A level. It wasn't too long ago that the 23-year-old right-hander was considered one of the best pitching prospects in the game, so Elliott hears that Yankees' people are asking questions to both the Blue Jays and Phillies (his original organization) about what may have changed. While his star has obviously faded over the past year, we would be surprised if the Jays gave up on him so quickly, especially to a division rival.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell hasn't dismissed the possibility that Kyle Drabek could make a start before the end of the season.

"It hinges on the physical status of other guys in the rotation," said Farrell. "If a guy needs a blow, and he's stretched out enough, we have that option available to us. But when we set out to view September, part of it was to finish on a positive note for Kyle, and that's in the making right now." Drabek has pitched three scoreless innings over two relief appearances since being recalled from the minors on September 6.

Blue Jays recalled RHP Kyle Drabek from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Drabek was a coveted fantasy starter in drafts this spring, but he posted a 7.44 ERA and 45/41 K/BB ratio over 15 starts before getting demoted in June. He won't have any value down the stretch this season.

The Blue Jays will recall right-hander Kyle Drabek from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Drabek was demoted in June and posted an ugly 7.44 ERA and 45/41 K/BB ratio over 15 starts with Triple-A Las Vegas. Fantasy owners are advised to look elsewhere in September. The Blue Jays are also expected to promote first baseman David Cooper, right-handers Chad Beck and Daniel Farquhar, left-hander Brad Mills and former top pitching prospect Adam Loewen, who slugged 17 homers as an outfielder with Triple-A Las Vegas this season.

After another subpar performance from the right-hander at Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, ESPN's Keith Law said Kyle Drabek "has to be hurt."

Drabek gave up six runs in 3 1/3 innings in his start tonight, taking his Triple-A ERA up to 7.10. The Jays' plan was to call him up and add him to the rotation next month, but one wonders how likely that is now.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell wants to bring Kyle Drabek back up in September to give him some starts.

Farrell thinks it's important to do so not only for Drabek's mindset, but also so the team can get a read on him. Drabek has been up-and-down, but mostly down, at Triple-A Las Vegas since being demoted, posting a 6.60 ERA over nine outings. He might have to string together a few positive outings before the Jays do indeed bring him back up.

Kyle Drabek was pulled from a start with Triple-A Las Vegas after three innings Thursday due to soreness in his left trapezius muscle.

He probably wasn't long for the game, anyway, as he allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits. Blue Jays manager John Farrell called his exit precautionary, so it doesn't sound like a major concern moving forward. Drabek has an ugly 8.24 ERA and 16/12 K/BB ratio over five starts since being demoted in mid-June.

Kyle Drabek put together a promising start for Triple-A Las Vegas Thursday, giving up just one run on six hits and no walks while striking out three.

That's more like it. Drabek was blasted for nine runs on 12 hits and 10 walks over just 4 2/3 innings in his first two outings for Las Vegas, so hopefully this is the beginning of him getting back on track. Even if it is, he's still likely weeks away from rejoining the Blue Jays rotation.

Kyle Drabek lasted just 2/3 of an inning in his start for Triple-A Las Vegas Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks while also throwing a wild pitch.

Ouch. In his two outings since being demoted, Drabek has given up nine runs on 12 hits and 10 walks over just 4 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is extremely talented, but he's clearly fighting out of whack right now. It will be interesting to see if the Blue Jays consider shutting him down for a while in hopes that he can get his mechanics in order.

Kyle Drabek allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and seven walks Monday in his first start with Triple-A Las Vegas.

In a word, ugly. "The line was not good, and even by his own admission. A lot of walks, a lot of pitches," said Blue Jays manager John Farrell. "His composure on the mound was better than what we saw in recent starts here. His composure and dealing with that frustration was a little bit better." Drabek was sent to the minors last week after posting a 5.70 ERA and 48/52 K/BB ratio over his first 14 starts. He'll need to figure out his command issues before getting another shot in the bigs.

Blue Jays optioned RHP Kyle Drabek to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Jays manager John Farrell told reporters this weekend that the 23-year-old would not be sent down, but he must have changed his mind. Drabek was roughed up for eight earned runs on Sunday against the Red Sox and has an ugly 5.70 ERA this season despite a strong showing in the early going.

Blue Jays manager John Farrel said there have been no discussions of sending the struggling Kyle Drabek to the minors.

Farrell got a bit defensive when asked about the possibility, saying, "I just want to cut that off right now. There's been no discussion of that." Drabek has really struggled for consistency, posting a 4.98 ERA and 1.73 WHIP to go along with a hideous 43/48 K/BB ratio. If if doesn't step it up soon, the minors might become more of an option.