The sudden nature of Kenley Jansen’s unavailability on Wednesday evening led to a good deal of speculation following the contest, especially when the Dodgers saw a two-run ninth-inning lead turn into a loss after Jansen’s bullpen mates couldn’t hold off the Rockies. After the game, manager Don Mattingly told reporters that Jansen wasn’t available and that he learned as much during the game, but he provided no further details. Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register was among those to report yesterday, however, that Mattingly was merely respecting his closer’s wishes. Jansen woke up Wednesday morning feeling sick and dehydrated, and he told the team in the fifth inning of the game. Given his symptoms and history of heart problems, the Dodgers game him an IV and performed an electrocardiogram, after which the doctor recommended that he not play. Jansen said frustration and feeling as though he let the team down were the reasons that he did not wish to address the media Wednesday evening. The 27-year-old righty has been perfect since returning from the DL this season, firing six scoreless innings with an 11-to-0 K/BB ratio.
Here’s more from the NL West…
- In other Dodgers injury news, MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick reports (Twitter links) that Howie Kendrick, who was injured while sliding into third base on Wednesday, underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage. Kendrick, however said he “[doesn’t] know what will happen” if the knee is not feeling any better today, suggesting that he could miss a bit of time with the injury. Gurnick also says that right-handed pitching prospect Zach Lee has been experiencing a tingling sensation in his fingers and is being examined by doctors in Los Angeles. That’s a troublesome ailment for a team that is working with a thin rotation. Lee, long regarded as one of L.A.’s more promising arms, has a 2.38 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 56 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season.
- Giants GM Bobby Evans addressed the team’s third base situation in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM yesterday and indicated that recently optioned Casey McGehee could return in the near future (Twitter links). Said Evans: “We’ve given Matt Duffy a long look there and we’ll continue to, there’s a chance McGehee could be back up here soon as well. We’ll continue to monitor that, but we have fallback options in that area.” The Giants will certainly hope that McGehee can solidify the position, and he does indeed seem to have corrected his swing at Triple-A. In 46 plate appearances with Sacramento, McGehee is hitting a hefty .357/.391/.571 with a pair of homers and three doubles. Giants third basemen are hitting .255/.294/.380, though McGehee’s own struggles at the plate have contributed to that rather unimpressive collective effort.
- Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles, who is out for the season due to a foot injury that he describes as “Tommy John for my toe” (Lyles has a torn ligament in his big toe), knew that he needed surgery when he took the hill for his last outing, writes the Denver Post’s Nick Groke. “I was trying to hold off the inevitable,” said Lyles. “They didn’t think I’d be able to handle the pain. But being a hard-head, I said, ’Well, let’s see about that.'” Lyles said that making the final start, which he left in the second inning, didn’t worsen his injury anymore, as the damage had already been done. Rather, he took the mound simply because he “was trying to be a good teammate.” Lyles adds that during his last injury absence, he developed a split-fingered changeup to add to his pitch arsenal. “Now I’ve got a few more months to find something else,” he told Groke.
MB923
Hope Jansen is well again.
We.Need.More.Grit
It isn’t easy to explain how you feel when it’s the heart. Not being sappy, lol, for most of my life that I remember I lived with an irregular heartbeat and had days where you just, well, it just wasn’t right. You felt /wrong/ and hopefully for Jansen and the Dodgers he’s alright.
Terie54
Well it looks like Zach Lee is finally coming around
Terie54
I hope lyles gets better
Wooltron
Not a single Giants fan wants Casey McGehee to be recalled. Sure Duffy is in a little slump, but at least he isn’t a double play machine who can’t play defense. If anything, trade for someone like Prado.
Terie54
Does Duffy seam solid enough
Wooltron
He is alright for now. Much better defensively and decent speed makes him miles better than McGehee. I don’t see him as a long term answer but unless they want to give Duvall a shot he is the best in house option in my opinion.
mrnatewalter
There are several Giants fans I’ve ran into who would love to see McGehee back in San Francisco if the timing is right. The guy hit .287 last year and had a 1.5 WAR. Sabean didn’t trade for him for nothing. If Duffy struggles, McGehee will be back up to fill that spot.
obsessivegiantscompulsive
He’s back: McGehee called up after Machi DLed.
David Coonce
On pace to ground into 40+ double plays this season. He is awful.
jb226 2
1.5 WAR is below average for a regular, every-day player. Now add in the fact that that was his best season since 2010, he still hit into 31 DPs, his defense is mediocre at best, he has no power to speak of, and he players a premium offensive position and nobody should be hoping to see him on a major-league roster as a regular.
Wooltron
He brings absolutely nothing to the table. He is literally a zero tool baseball player at this point now that he can’t hit for either power or average. I don’t know what Giants fans you have ran into but apparently they don’t watch many Giants games.
oh Hal
I wonder if Friedman will ever let go of any of his better prospects.
BoldyMinnesota
Tough to hear about Lyles, he seems like a great teammate and guy
Dock_Elvis
There you go, Lyles….get that 95 mph eephus rolling.