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.