Kenley Jansen Headed To Injured List With Shoulder Issue
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (shoulder) is expected to land on the IL, ending his season. Jansen has been battling a shoulder injury for a while now and has battled control and velocity issues because of it. Manager Alex Cora said that Jansen has had some trouble bouncing back from outings, including Sunday in his inning of work against the Minnesota Twins. The righty is set to become a free agent at the end of this year, but his age combined with his recent injury history could scare teams away from him. The Red Sox will likely close by committee for the final week of the season, with Chris Martin and Justin Slaten the favorites to get saves.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (shoulder) logged a clean frame on Friday evening in his return to the bump. The 36-year-old was battling a minor shoulder injury and has only pitched twice this week. However, seeing him return to his typical ninth-inning role on Friday is a promising sign that he is past this injury. Fantasy managers should expect the former Dodger to be called upon as a high-leverage option out of the Red Sox during the final week of the season. Through 53 2/3 innings this summer, the right-hander has held a 3.35 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with a 20:61 BB:K ratio. He has tallied 27 saves. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable relying on the veteran to see save opportunities during the final week of the 2024 season.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (shoulder) apparently was dealing with a shoulder issue during his 27th save of the season on Wednesday in the 2-1 win over the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Jansen walked two and struck out two in his scoreless inning of work and also showed decreased velocity, but he stayed in the game and finished out the victory. The Red Sox's training staff went out to look at the 36-year-old veteran before letting him continue. There's a good chance that Jansen won't be available out of the bullpen for at least a few days as he works through his shoulder issues. If he is forced to miss any save situations, Chris Martin or Josh Winckowski might be the best bets for a few save chances down the stretch. Jansen, a four-time All-Star, has a 3.42 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 61 K's and 20 walks in 52 2/3 innings this year in addition to his 27 saves.
Boston Red Sox right-handed closer Kenley Jansen (lat) said after Friday night's 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park that he's dealing with a lat issue. Jansen last pitched on Wednesday, when he allowed four earned runs on one hit while walking three and striking out one in one-third of an inning versus the New York Mets. The veteran closer was apparently unavailable on Friday night, which is why Josh Winckowski entered with a two-run lead in the ninth to pitch a clean inning to earn the first save of his career. The 36-year-old Jansen said he won't pitch again until he's past the lat issue, but it's anyone's guess when that might be, and he could very well require a trip to the injured list. It's unclear how Boston might approach the ninth inning if Jansen misses extended time, but Winckowski and Chris Martin could be the top options for fantasy managers still scrounging for saves.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen needed just 12 pitches to dispose of the Orioles on Friday night, throwing eight of them for strikes and notching two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning in the 12-10 victory. After a rough July, Jansen has bounced back nicely, picking up his third save this month while having yet to allow a run, a hit, or even a walk and has struck out seven batters in four-and-two-thirds innings. The 36-year-old now has 23 saves on the season with a 2.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 20.8% K-BB%. The veteran remains a top closing option and fantasy managers will hope his back issues don't creep back into the picture for the stretch run.
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen recorded his 22nd save of the season as his club defeated the Texas Rangers 9-4. He struck out one over a 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Tuesday's victory. The veteran right-hander entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning and recorded a four-out save, retiring all four batters he faced. Jansen has been a reliable closing option all season, going 22-for-25 in save opportunities with a 2.79 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 40 games (42 IP) this season. As the 36-year-old is nearing the end of his illustrious career, he will continue to do everything he can to help the Red Sox win close games and hopefully make the postseason.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that closer Kenley Jansen (back) slipped and tweaked his lower back during his outing on Wednesday in the walk-off win against the visiting Seattle Mariners. The Red Sox will see how he feels on Friday after a scheduled day off on Thursday. Jansen earned his fourth win of the year after tossing a scoreless inning in the top of the 10th, walking one and striking out one, but he clearly tweaked his back trying to cover first base. He did stay in the game after trainers came out to check on him. Even if his injury is deemed minor, Jansen may not be ready for Friday's series opener against the defending World Series-champion Texas Rangers. Fantasy managers may want to prepare for a potential injured-list stint just to be safe. If Jansen is forced to miss time with this ailment, Luis Garcia or Lucas Sims, both recently acquired in trades on Tuesday, could see save opportunities in Boston.
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.