23 Brandon Morrow, SP

I have no idea what to make of Brandon Morrow's struggles this season, but that's partially because I still don't know what to make of him. He's had so many injuries and so much fluctuation with his strikeout rate over the years that I get the feeling we still haven't seen him in his truest, purest form.

We know the Blue Jays' right-hander has great stuff, and we've seen him put it to good use at times. But that stuff, while as good as ever, isn't getting the same results this year. And because he has never maintained his best self over a full season before, we can't assume he'll eventually come around.

Obviously, you can't start him right now, which is why I've dropped him to 46th in my starting pitcher rankings, but as much as you have invested in him and as good as you know he can be, I wouldn't recommend dropping him. You'd hate to have him rebound with ace numbers for somebody else.

Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow endured another rough outing, but escaped with the win Thursday against the Orioles.

Morrow (2-3) surrendered home runs to Chris Davis, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones. He was charged with six runs and 10 hits over seven innings. He struck out five and walked one in a 12-6 win.

Morrow has allowed 11 runs and struck out six over his last 12 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at home against Atlanta. He is 2-1 with a 4.88 ERA in five starts at home.

Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow took the mound for the first time since May 5 after back issues pushed him back several times. Morrow may have needed longer.

He didn't report any injury issues with his back, but Morrow took the loss as he allowed two homers and five runs over five innings against the Yankees in New York Saturday.

The starter gave up seven hits and didn't walk a batter with one strikeout. Robinson Cano smacked two homers off him. He threw 75 pitches before leaving and has a 5.16 ERA.

Morrow went eight strong innings his last time out against the Mariners on May 5. The back issue and his poor performance Saturday aren't necessarily linked, but he was figuring things out with 15 Ks over 13 innings in his previous two starts. Morrow will next take the mound Thursday against the Orioles.

Blue Jays pitcher Brandon Morrow (neck, back) was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday against San Francisco and pushed back to Saturday, Sportsnet reports. Morrow, who has not pitched since May 5 because of lingering back spasms, will be replaced in the rotation by Ramon Ortiz.

The right-hander said the move was strictly precautionary and is no longer bothered by tightness in his neck. Morrow is now scheduled to start on the road against the Yankees, his second outing against the division foe this season. He was tagged for a season-high seven runs (five earned) in his previous outing this season.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Brandon Morrow, who aims to return to the rotation Wednesday against the Giants after being scratched twice since Friday because back and neck stiffness, threw 30 pitches in the bullpen Sunday, according to Sportsnet. Morrow said his bullpen session was smooth and he's made steady improvement in the last two days, but he's not 100 percent yet.