Casey Janssen (back) threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons called the workout "impressive." Janssen will throw another bullpen session in a couple of days and could then be cleared for a minor league rehab assignment. If he can avoid setbacks, he should be cleared to join the Jays by the end of next week. Sergio Santos will continue to close for now.

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.