Janssen feeling good after first spring action
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Casey Janssen reported all is well one day after making his first appearance of the spring.
Toronto's closer arrived in the clubhouse on Saturday morning feeling just a normal level of soreness after tossing 17 pitches vs. the Phillies in a Minor League game the day before.
Janssen had not made an appearance this spring because of a sore shoulder, but he appears to be over the injury, and all signs still point to him being ready for Opening Day on March 31.
"Went well, threw all my pitches," Janssen said. "It was good to compete and just another step in the right direction, and getting ready for the season and Opening Day.
"Not too bad on the soreness. Those guys were scrappy down there and made me work a little bit. It's good to get a little sore. It's good to get some work in."
The plan is for Janssen to make three more appearances this spring before the club opens the season against Tampa Bay. Another goal is to have Janssen make two of those outings on back-to-back days as a final test to make sure he is physically ready to go.
It's a very familiar situation for Janssen, who only made three appearances last spring as well following offseason shoulder surgery. He went on to record 34 saves in 36 opportunities and have one of his better seasons in the Major Leagues.
"I mean, I think in a perfect world, I would have liked to be out there March 3 and pitching in games and everything like that," Janssen said. "Obviously it didn't work that way for me but, yeah, I think I can get there. I think the intensity level is going to pick up when you're in the Major League games and then when the big lights turn on, I think the intensity level will definitely be there.
"As long as I feel good, I pride myself on being a command guy and the radar gun doesn't matter that much when you can change speeds and hit your spots, and that's what I've relied on a lot of my career. If the velocity takes a few days to catch up, I think I can compete with what I've got."