Blue Jays placed RHP Jon Rauch on the 15-day disabled list with a case of appendicitis. Rauch should be ready to roll as soon as his 15 days are up. The big right-hander has registered a 4.47 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 50 1/3 innings this season while tallying up 11 saves in 16 opportunities. Frank Francisco is likely to handle save chances now.

Jon Rauch took the loss on Monday, surrendering one earned run on three hits in only 2/3 of an inning. Instead of losing this one in the ninth inning, Rauch entered in the eighth with the game tied. Four pitches later, Seattle's Casper Wells jacked one over the left field wall in what turned out to be the game-winner. Rauch has yielded at least one run in five of his last eight outings. It would not be surprising to see Frank Francisco retake the closer's role, as he has pitched nine consecutive scoreless innings.

Jon Rauch returned to action on Thursday August 11.

The Blue Jays are hoping that Jon Rauch (knee) will feel well enough to pitch by Tuesday. Rauch felt irritation behind his right knee after locking up his 11th save of the season Friday against the Orioles. He has a 4.53 ERA and 1.32 WHIP so far this year.

Jon Rauch is unavailable to pitch Sunday due to some irritation behind his right knee. It doesn't sound like anything more than a day-to-day condition. Frank Francisco would likely be used Sunday if a save opportunity arises for the Blue Jays.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell said Friday that Jon Rauch will remain the team's closer. Rauch blew his fifth save of the season Thursday against the Rays and has allowed runs in three out of his last four appearances, but Farrell isn't ready to make a change. Frank Francisco, who hasn't allowed a run in six straight appearances, will only be used in the ninth inning if Rauch is unavailable due to workload.

Jon Rauch looked awful on Thursday, blowing his fifth save opportunity after yielding three runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings. To make matters worse, Rauch had two chances to save this game: once in the ninth inning, and then again in the 10th after Toronto took the lead. He has blown three saves in the last month and has given up at least one run in three of his last four appearances. Meanwhile, Frank Francisco made another bid to reclaim the closer's job, tossing a scoreless inning for the sixth consecutive time.

Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Twins have talked to the Blue Jays about reacquiring Jon Rauch. Christensen cautions, though, that "there has been nothing new on that front for a while." The Twins are looking to add a reliever, but if they end up getting Drew Storen in a Denard Span deal, they'd be out of the running for Rauch.

Jon Rauch picked up his ninth save Friday despite giving up a run in the ninth against the Rangers. It was a Mike Napoli solo homer, but fortunately, Rauch had a two-run cushion. With Jason Frasor and Octavio Dotel gone, it appears more likely that Rauch will stay in Toronto, though it's not a sure thing. He's now 9-for-13 saving games.

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves are eyeing Blue Jays relievers Jon Rauch and Jason Frasor. The Braves are worried about the workloads of some of their younger relievers and want to add a couple of reliable arms for the stretch run. Rauch, 32, has a 3.89 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 41 2/3 innings this year. Frasor, 33, has a 2.98 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.