Delabar feeling good in return from injury

PHOENIX -- Appearing in a game for the first time in a exactly a month in Monday's 4-1 win, Blue Jays reliever Steve Delabar needed only six pitches, all strikes, to retire the side against the D-backs. It was the type of outing Toronto became accustomed to in the 30-year-old's All-Star season before right shoulder inflammation forced him to miss most of August on the disabled list.

"Yeah, he's pretty good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said, smiling. "He can overpower you when he's in the strike zone like that. It can be a mismatch. Six pitches, six strikes. That's good."

For Delabar, it was nice to get back on the mound and experience immediate success, especially after the right-hander struggled in July and his only outing in August, posting a 7.59 ERA in 10 2/3 innings. He hopes Monday's appearance will give him some momentum as he tries to close out 2013 on a high note.

"I just want to get in, attack the hitters and get out of there as fast as possible," Delabar said. "Just do what I expect to do. That's it. Just stay healthy and finish strong."

Delabar was just as good in his second game back, pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the Blue Jays' 4-3 loss to the D-backs on Wednesday. He allowed one hit and struck out two.