Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacek Featured Columnist IV July 22, 2024
Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Boston Red Sox will be without closer Kenley Jansen for their upcoming road series against the Colorado Rockies.
As Alex Speier of the Boston Globe relayed, Jansen said he will not accompany the team on its trip to Colorado’s Coors Field because he needed his heart shocked in 2012, 2018 and 2022 after pitching there in the past.
He also said he wanted to pitch in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers even though it was a non-save situation so the bullpen would be fresher heading into the series without him.
Jansen has pitched through heart concerns throughout his career.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com noted in 2022 he was placed on the injured list as a member of the Atlanta Braves with an irregular heartbeat. Bowman explained the right-hander had atrial fibrillation and underwent ablation procedures for his heart after the 2012 and 2018 seasons.
Given that as the backdrop and his history in Colorado, he clearly didn’t want to take any chances.
Pitching in Colorado was something he experienced far more often earlier in his career, as he was a member of the Dodgers for 12 seasons from 2010 through 2021. The Dodgers and Rockies are both in the National League West, so that meant plenty of road trips to Coors Field.
Boston doesn’t play the Rockies nearly as often, although they will face the NL West team for the next three games from Monday through Wednesday.
Jansen struggled in Sunday’s loss against his former team and allowed three earned runs in one inning of work. He also allowed an earned run in one inning during Saturday’s loss.
The four-time All-Star has a 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 40 strikeouts and 19 saves in 35.1 innings this season.
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