Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Wednesday starting pitcher Ramon Ortiz is penciled in to start Sunday against the Orioles, according to the Toronto Star. Ortiz lasted just 2 1/3 innings Tuesday against the Rays.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons continues to refrain from naming Chad Jenkins the starter for Friday's game against the Orioles, according to the Toronto Star. Jenkins is preparing to start, but he's available out of the bullpen.

Blue Jays outfielder Colby Rasmus smacked his seventh home run Tuesday during a loss to the Rays. In fact, he scored two of the team's three runs in the loss.  

Rasmus, batting seventh, went deep in the fifth inning off starter Alex Cobb. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and is batting .234 on the year.

The 26-year-old Rasmus has really struggled in May and has dropped his batting almost 20 full points over his last 10 games. He does have seven homers and 19 RBI, however.

Blue Jays starter Ramon Ortiz, who has joined the rotation due to injuries to fellow starters Josh Johnson and J.A. Happ, did not fare very well Tuesday at home against the Rays.

With Alex Cobb once again pitching well, Ortiz suffered the defeat as he was out of the game just one out into the third inning. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and a walk over 54 pitches to fall to 1-2 for Toronto. Ortiz surrendered two solo homers in the game and struck out one.

The 39-year-old had given up just two earned runs in his first two starts spanning 12 innings for a 1-1 record. Unfortunately, he also walked five batters in one of those outings and his WHIP is high at 1.64.

It is uncertain at this time whether or not Ortiz will get another start for manager John Gibbons. If he does, it should come Sunday against Baltimore.

Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen will continue to be monitored closely this season by Toronto, MLB.com reports. Following offseason shoulder surgery, Janssen has good days and bad days. 

His health can fluctuate depending on the day, but he's thus far been sharp on the mound for the Blue Jays and manager John Gibbons. 

"We have to be conscious of it," Gibbons said. "It doesn't make it easy for us, you want to get him steady work, [relievers] all need steady work to really stay sharp; you have to pick your spots."