TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays activated right-handed pitcher Frank Francisco from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and optioned right-hander Jesse Litsch to the Las Vegas 51s, their triple-A affiliate.
Francisco had been placed on the disabled list on March 31, retroactive to March 22, with a right shoulder strain.
"He'll be available late in the game," manager John Farrell said. "Whether or not he closes, we've got options between he and (Jon) Rauch to close. We're going to use both in most leverage situations we can. And where the best match-up exists -- that could be the ninth, that could be the eighth inning."
Francisco made five relief appearances in a rehab assignment with the single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, posting a record of 0-1 with a 10.80 earned-run average. The Blue Jays acquired Francisco and cash from the Texas Rangers last January in exchange for catcher Mike Napoli.
Francisco, 31, was 6-4 with two saves and a 3.76 ERA in 56 relief appearances for the Rangers last season. He had a career-high 25 saves in 2009 as the Rangers closer. In six big-league seasons, Francisco is 17-15 with 32 saves and a 3.75 ERA. He has 315 strikeouts over 283 1-3 innings.
Litsch, 26, had a 1-1 record and 3.63 ERA this season, along with seven walks and 16 strikeouts. He took the loss in last Sunday's 8-1 loss to Boston, giving up six runs in six innings. It was his third start since shoulder surgery last August.
Litsch made his major-league debut with the Jays in 2007. He has a career record of 22-25 with a 4.08 ERA and 189 strikeouts in 360 innings.
