Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen will not join the team for their upcoming series in Colorado, citing health concerns.
Jansen revealed after Sunday’s 9-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers that doctors had to “shock” his heart back into rhythm following three previous trips to Colorado. The most recent incident occurred in 2022 while Jansen was with the Atlanta Braves. Similar issues arose in 2012 and 2018 during his time with the Dodgers.
“Too many times stuff happened over there with me,” Jansen explained. “It started off when I went back to Atlanta. I started having issues, and then a couple of weeks later, I went back to AFib. Just trying to avoid that right now.”
“We’re trying to get to the postseason. I don’t think that’s a great time to go there and mess things up. The next thing you know, it’s going to hurt the team more,” he added.
Jansen will return to Boston and be ready when the Red Sox host the Yankees in a three-game series starting Friday.
The weekend was tough for Jansen, who returned to Dodger Stadium for only the second time since leaving Los Angeles after the 2021 season. On Saturday, he allowed a home run to Kike Hernández in the ninth inning, tying the game at 4-all before the Dodgers won 7-6 in 11 innings. It was the first home run Jansen allowed this season.
On Sunday, Jansen pitched in the eighth inning despite the Red Sox trailing. He had told manager Alex Cora before the game that he wanted to pitch because the bullpen would be short-handed in Colorado. Jansen ended up allowing three runs in the eighth, including a solo home run by Jason Heyward.
“I’ve just got to turn the page and be ready for the next series,” said Jansen, who is fifth in the American League with 18 saves.
