Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen picked up a rare two-inning save on Sunday, slamming the door on the Kansas City Royals in a 5-4 win. Jansen breezed by the Royals in his first inning of work, striking out all three batters he faced. Things got a bit scary in the ninth, with the Royals scoring a run and putting a runner on second, but Jansen got out of it for his 19th save of the season. The big righty has only gone more than one inning three times this year, but the incoming all-star break gives the Red Sox an easy way to rest Jansen up for the second half. He has gotten back to his prime form this season, going 19-for-20 in save chances with a 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts in 33 IP. He is a solid closing option for the second half in fantasy.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen shut the door on the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, earning his ninth save in a 2-1 win. Jansen made quick work of the Crew in the ninth inning, setting down all three batters he faced on just 10 pitches while striking out a pair. Although he's had some shaky outings, Jansen is now 9-for-10 in save opportunities and has a solid 3.06 ERA and 1.25 WHIP on the season. The 36-year-old remains a viable fantasy option and should be rostered in any league where saves matter.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen tossed a clean ninth inning to pick up the save in a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals. Jansen allowed just a hit in his inning of work, with no walks or strikeouts to account for. The veteran closer pitched on a third consecutive day for the first time this season, a move made possible because of his sparse usage in May, with only one other appearance before this weekend. Although he's had a few shaky outings, Jansen has been mostly solid for the Red Sox this season and should continue to see the bulk of their save opportunities. He is a good closing option in fantasy.
Kenley Jansen Picks Up Save In Red Sox Victory Over Nationals
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen retired all three batters he faced on Saturday as he picked up his sixth save of the year in a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park. Jansen fanned two of the three batters who came to the plate, with 12 of his 16 pitches finding the strike zone. He lowered his ERA to 2.84 in 12 2/3 innings this season and has yet to allow a home run. His 13.1 K/9 rate is Jansen's highest since averaging 14.4 K/9 during the 2017 season with the then-National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Fantasy managers should continue to roll with Jansen in all league formats.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Kenley Jansen struck out the side to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jansen entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 36-year-old struck out all three hitters he faced to earn his fifth save of the year. Jansen has converted 5-of-6 save chances with a 2.35 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings in 2024. Fantasy managers should continue to roll with Jansen as he continues to rack up saves as Boston's primary closer.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (back), who closed out the Los Angeles Angels in an 8-6 victory on Friday night for his third save of the year, is dealing with a sore back but had enough to close out the game. The 36-year-old active MLB leader in saves struck one batter in his clean frame on Friday and has now tossed four scoreless and hitless innings with three saves, five walks and six strikeouts in his first four appearances of 2024. He has been perfect so far, but it looks like his back issues from spring training are still around, and his command has been worrisome despite the three saves. Keep an eye on whether Jansen will be available to pitch on Saturday against the Halos. If he's not, either Chris Martin or Josh Winckowski could be in line for a save opportunity.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora says closer Kenley Jansen (back) is available on Monday for the start of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics. "He had a great day yesterday," Cora said. Jansen was unavailable out of Boston's bullpen for Saturday's extra-inning defeat to the Seattle Mariners due to back tightness, but he's ready to roll on Monday if a save opportunity presents itself. After collecting an Opening Day save to protect last Thursday's win over Seattle, the 36-year-old All-Star should remain a solid fantasy closer this season as long as he's in Beantown. Jansen collected a 3.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 52:17 K:BB over 44 2/3 innings for the BoSox last year, but he has an expiring contract that could make him a trade candidate later this summer.
Kenley Jansen Unavailable In Loss Due To Back Tightness
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was unavailable to pitch in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Mariners due to back tightness. Instead, the team turned to Joely Rodriguez and Justin Slaten in the bottom of the tenth in an attempt to preserve the win after the Sox scored two in the top of the inning, but the two pitchers combined to allow three hits, three runs, and a walk-off win for Seattle. Jansen dealt with the same injury in the spring but was able to pitch on Thursday when the Red Sox beat the Mariners 6-4, however, he woke up Friday and his back was tight. While the blown game is not ideal for the Red Sox, hopefully Jansen just needs some rest and he'll be back out there soon, however, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on this. Veteran RHP Chris Martin would be next in line in the event of a prolonged absence.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen recorded his first save of the season in Thursday's victory against the Seattle Mariners. The veteran allowed a walk, but also recorded a pair of strikeouts. Despite dealing with back issues this spring, Jansen was ready and looked good to go on Opening Day. Even at age 36, Jansen remains a solid option for managers out of the bullpen. The veteran was rumored to be on the trade block this offseason, so it would not be the worst idea for Jansen managers to consider rostering Chris Martin if the Red Sox get off to a slow start and the rumors pick back up.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (back) said he felt good in his return to Grapefruit League action on Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles and expects to be ready for Opening Day on March 28 next Thursday. Jansen said he didn't feel good until Thursday and that he's been battling lat, shoulder and back issues throughout spring training. The 36-year-old veteran right-hander looked like his dominant self in a perfect inning of work against Baltimore, which is great news for fantasy managers that already have Jansen rostered. It was just his second appearance of the spring, though, and MLB's active leader in saves should be considered a pretty big injury risk as a No. 2 fantasy closer as he heads into his 15th big-league season (second with the Red Sox).
