Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch has opted to become a free agent rather than accept a minor-league assignment, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
Litsch, 27, missed all of 2012 because of a variety of physical issues. He had arthroscopic surgery done to his pitching shoulder in March. Then an infection resulted from the surgery. In June, he had bicep surgery.
The Blue Jays activated Litsch from the 60-day DL on Wednesday. If they intended to keep him with the major league team, they would have had to make room for him on the 40-man roster.
Litsch made 67 starts and 21 relief appearances with the Blue Jays over five seasons, going 27-27 with a 4.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 239 strikeouts in 417 2/3 innings.
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