One-Horse Race: Jesse Litsch Looks to Catch On with Toronto Blue Jays

Well the race to see who could come out as the Toronto Blue Jays' No. 5 starter, albeit prematurely, seems to be nearing its end.

At the beginning of Spring Training, Gustavo Chacin, Casey Janssen, and Jesse Litsch were thought to be in the hunt to become Toronto's fifth starter behind Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Dustin McGowan, and Shaun Marcum. 

However, after running into problems with the two other candidates, the Jays are left with Jesse Litsch who stands alone, and healthy, at the top of the hill.

Don't get me wrong, Litsch earned his spot on the rotation following last year's 7-9, 3.81 ERA effort, but with the way injuries have hurt this team the past few year's, excuse me while I get a little concerned. 

Casey Janssen had looked good this spring. Despite allowing two runs in a three-inning outing against Pittsburgh on March 6th, Janssen also threw two shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 1st. In addition, Janssen had struck out six and hadn't handed out a free-pass in those five innings, one of eleven Blue Jays pitchers in camp not to allow a walk.

Despite losing a potential starter, the Jays also lost a shut-down reliever in Janssen, who logged a 2.35 ERA in 72 two-thirds innings last season and recorded 24 holds.

Although Brandon League has shown flashes of the form of old, the Jays did go out and grab some insurance, as Armando Benitez was signed to a minor league contract Tuesday morning.

The thiry-five year old Benitez has had a fairly successful career, recording 289 career saves, 34 holds (since 1999) and 772 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in 14 years.

Meanwhile Gustavo Chacin, who is recovering from August shoulder surgery and has struggled with injuries the past two seasons, went from being a long shot to make the roster, to being a non-factor.

In fact, John Gibbons stated today that Chacin hasn't been considered for the spot at all this spring. 

Fortunately enough, Chacin is still eligible to be sent to Triple-A Syracuse (without being offered up to other teams), so he can build up the arm strength he lost while recovering from the surgery. 

If he rebuilds himself successfully at the Triple-A level this season, Chacin could see some time as an emergency spot-starter in the event of injury, or he could get some time in the bullpen as a long reliever (or a few late-season starts depending on the Jays  position in the playoff race) come the September roster expansion. 

Even with all of that going on however, the only thing the Jays can afford to be concerned with is keeping Jesse Litsch healthy.

Because if he goes down, the promising outlook fans have for this season might go with him.