SATURDAY: Jansen will be out until at least Aug. 20, Dodgers president Andrew Friedman told Pedro Moura of The Athletic and other reporters Saturday. At that point, the team will re-evaluate Jansen.
FRIDAY, 9:54AM: Jansen is expected to be sidelined for around one month, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports (Twitter link).
1:11AM: Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was hospitalized on Thursday due to an irregular heartbeat, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times and MLB.com’s Anne Rogers) after last night’s game against the Rockies. The issue arose prior to the game, and Jansen has already been released and traveled from Denver to Los Angeles, where he will undergo more tests later today. At a minimum, Jansen will miss the rest of this weekend’s series, Roberts said.
This isn’t the first time that Jansen has dealt with an irregular heartbeat during his career, as the issue arose during both the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The right-hander missed around a month of action in both instances, and underwent heart surgery following the 2012 season in an attempt to fully solve the problem.
Jansen hadn’t had any further heart situations until last night, Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi told reporters. Denver’s high altitude may well have played a factor, as Jansen’s irregular heartbeat episode in 2012 also took place during a Dodgers visit to Coors Field.
More details will be known about Jansen’s condition after he undergoes his further tests, though obviously any sort of recurring heart problem is of the utmost seriousness. Both Jansen and the Dodgers will surely be as careful as possible in monitoring his condition, and even if this was something of a fluke incident caused by the Denver thin air, Jansen’s medical history surely means all parties will proceed with caution about a return to the field. One positive sign is that Zaidi said Jansen was “feeling pretty normal right now, from what we understand.”
If Jansen is facing another absence of four or five weeks (like in 2011 and 2012), then the Dodgers will be without one of baseball’s best closers through the bulk of the late-season pennant race. The L.A. bullpen has posted generally solid overall numbers this year, though obviously Jansen (2.15 ERA, 4.36 K/BB rate, 10.1 K/9) contributed heavily to those team totals.
Setup man Scott Alexander successfully converted a save opportunity against Colorado last night, and while Alexander doesn’t have much closing experience in his young career, he is the most logical short-term candidate to handle the ninth inning. Pedro Baez is another option, while Josh Fields only just began a rehab assignment after missing almost six weeks with shoulder inflammation.
With a lack of experienced closing options on hand, the Dodgers could also explore the trade market. The club was already known to be looking at bullpen help prior to the trade deadline, coming away with only veteran John Axford after looking at higher-profile names on the Rangers, Marlins, Rays, Orioles, and Tigers. Several of the names linked to Los Angeles are still on the board as potential trade candidates, not to mention multiple other relief possibilities likely to be on the move in August.
what normally causes this? Just wondering
As a cardiac nurse, I can say that the causes are endless. It can be an electrical problem that is genetic, an electrolyte problem from dehydration or kidney issues, a chemical problem like drugs such as caffeine or worse, etc. it’s too hard to determine from such vague details. I’m doubtful they’ll ever release enough medical info to the public to really be conclusive.
Arrhythmias are pretty common though, and only rarely indications of a more serious condition. Correct?
That depends on which one. We all have occasional irregular beats called PVC’s or PAC’s based on their origin. But most irregular rhythms need medical intervention. They may not be emergent or life threatening but require treatment to prevent long term problems. Then There are some of course that are life threatening.
But many people do live with irregular heart rhythms. Most of them are professional athletes. I don’t know how easy it would be for them to perform at the level they do while in an irregular heart rhythm. Because ultimately if the heart is not beating properly there will be a price to pay, often in decreased oxygen distribution. That of course would cause fatigue and other problems in athletes. So sure, many people have irregular heartbeats. Most of them are not exerting themselves at the level required to be a professional athlete.
*are not professional athletes
His condition was previously described as an atrial fibrillation, if that adds anything.
A-fib is not a minor irregularity. While some folks live with it, it puts them at high risk for things like strokes. It also takes away their energy etc. An athlete would not be able to perform as a premier closer with a-fib. They also put people that have a-fib on blood thinners which again wouldn’t allow someone to play major sports
He’s had this condition for years, and though it has put him on the DL three times now, in between he certainly has been able to perform as a premier closer. Also, he’s been on blood thinners since 2012.
If it’s Long Q syndrome he might have to a cardiac ablation.
You’ve asked a good question though, because the cause truly determines how quickly he could come back. Electrolyte or chemical problems are probably very benign and quick recovery. True heart conditions, not so much.
If it’s electrical, you can have a quick procedure and be 100% in two weeks.
That optimistic and often true… sometimes though, the problem reoccurs and it isn’t so simple. It depends as to what caused the electric al issue in the first place.
And the further update kinda proves my point… he’s had the “quick fix” already.
as bringinit247 has stated, there are multiple treatment options. I have run the entire list of meds and have had 4 cardiac ablations performed. Five years ago I had what is called a Cox Maze procedure done and for the most part it was successful. Life truly sucks when you have an abnormal heartbeat….mine was probably the most common, atrial fibrillation, and for most people who suffer from it either they never know they have it and meds or an ablation procedure clears it up. Mine was persistent….I was one of those rare cases that just wouldn’t respond to normal treatments. Sounds like Kenley has experienced this in the past and he may want to pursue other options as well.
Athletes have enlarged hearts
Especially tall athletes. Flo Hyman always comes to my mind when I see a condition like this..
Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards is an example of an athlete whose career was impacted by cardiac problems, albeit a different problem requiring open heat surgery.
For Kenley it’s just a trait he was born with. The altitude of Denver exacerbates the situation. It’s not unprecedented for athletes to not be cleared to play in Denver. It’ll be interesting to see if such happens in the future. This is the third occurrence in Denver. The Dodgers visit Coors one more time this season. With it being September and rosters expanded, I wonder if they even take that chance.
Makes complete sense which is also good news for him. Hopefully he can suit up for the rest of the games and take a break during their next stop in Denver. I really don’t know this player or his history well. I now follow the Dodgers with their acquisition of Machado. As an O’s fan I like to see players successful at their next stop(s)
Makes you wonder if the players association would allow MLB, which has talked about perhaps expanding to Mexico City, not to do that simply because of the effect of the altitude (7k vs. Denver’s 5,280) on visiting players. Even if they cleared out the smog, the thin air might make it very tough for teams passing through on short trips to adjust.
First 2 culprits I’d look into are: caffeine consumption through soda and energy drinks and then have him tested for sleep apnea.
Especially sleep apnea. That puts a person at high risk for a-fib
He has had this before, but not for a number of years.
Hope he makes a safe recovery
Is Scott Alexander the closer now?
Kiké Hernandez.
Somebody had to say it.
Kike before Baez
Too soon?
Remember Mark DeRosa had one long ago and ended up coming back very quickly, hope that’s the same story here
He had a similar problem a few years back.
It’s a bit of a stretch to say that the Dodgers’ bullpen has posted solid results this season. Last I checked they were 18th in ERA and not a lot better by other measures. Take Jansen away and it goes right into the bottom third of baseball. The bill for not improving the back end is coming due.
12th in era… so suffice to say that they’ll look for an upgrade before august 31st…but who can they get that’ll be an upgrade???
So you haven’t checked in a while? They’re currently 12th which isn’t great….but the BP was horrible early in the season. The BP ERA has been dropping for the past couple months.
Yes the pen is better now than the horrible start of the season, but then I was responding to the line in the article that the “bullpen has posted generally solid overall numbers this year.” Not this week, not in the last couple of months, this year. That seems quite debatable.
Cardinals fan here,I really hope he comes back soon and not have any long term effects..May he have a speedy recovery and get back to being one of the best closers in the game.
Scary stuff no matter the cause.
Get well
Speedy recovery
Did this article really say Pedro Baez was an option…
Pedro Baez, it should be heavily emphasized, is NOT an option to close games (for the team he is pitching on, anyway).
He isn’t an option to wear a uniform.
He must have pictures of someone in the organization.
Baez should be DFA’d, not moved into the closer’s role. He’s a blown save waiting to happen.
First, hoping Jansen is gets better.
Next, I don’t know why Friedman gets a pass on the pen. He lucked out with Morrow last year and we saw how important the pen was to the post season, yet he did nothing of significance to upgrade the pen. He saw Koehler was not healthy yet all he did was add the awful Axford. Baez, Axford, and castoffs don’t make for a quality pen.
Ryu is returning. With a full rotation, I’d say look for Maeda to join the pen. Possibly as the stopgap closer.
Maybe the fat little toad can work out of the pen?
Really? I can’t believe they let you say that.
I’m guessing Buehler, he has good stuff and its an easy way to limit his innings.
Wow a month. Big blow to the Dodgers but more importantly I hope he’s ok
Baez should not even be allowed to look at a baseball let alone play the game.
I don’t even care if he’s out a month I just hope he’s okay. Anything to do with a heart is life threatening
Baez?! Good lord, he gives the rest of us an irregular heartbeat.
A stroke, more likely. He’s one of the few players who gets a groan from the fans whenever he’s announced at Dodger Stadium. Even when he manages to get the job done, he spends so much time fidgeting and pacing around the mound it makes you crazy just to watch. They should have shoved Baez into Hatcher’s back pocket when they traded him to the A’s.
If they move a start to the pen they should be fine.
Starter*
Yeah, but who closes? This is where the lack of a reliable setup man becomes so painful. They don’t have anyone who can slide even temporarily into the closing role. It will have to be closing by committee with none of the options inspiring much confidence.
I would say give Maeda or Stripling the last 2 innings of a close game. Nights they arent available Alexander or Floro. Scott is 2/2 so far in games Jansen has been unavailable
Can’t really afford to pull either Maeda or Stripling from the rotation until we know what Ryu’s got. Bueller might make some sense, especially if they are trying to limit his innings, but that’s a lot to ask from a rookie who’s been developed as a starter.
Beuhler has been terrible whenever out of the bullpen. You can pull 1 starter and still have a rotation of Kershaw, Hill, Wood, Buehler and 1 of Stripling/Maeda and that doesn’t even include Ryu.
Well, sure, of those Maeda makes the most sense, since he’s shown the ability to switch roles, and because of his peculiar contract, limiting his starts and innings is financially advantageous to the Dodgers. The only reason Buehler might come into this discussion is on account of the need to limit his innings.
Get well Kenley!
Get well soon Kenley!
I’d try Ferguson in the closer role. Good stuff and I love his attitude on mound.
Ryan Tepera would be a good bridge for them.
tepera needs to clear waivers and i don’t think that would happen…i’d love for it but i can’t see anyone helping the dodgers get better
I’d love to see Puig air it out for one inning or just one batter. Everyone would get there money’s worth.
Might end like Canseco’s pitching career
This bullpen STINKS. Rosscup blows it on Friday, now this clown Chargois tonight. AWFUL. Tried to do it on the cheap and it comes back to bite.
It was designed to stink. Now everybody who couldn’t figure it out before should know what happens when you take away Jansen. You’ve got nothing. But Roberts will be blamed, just wait for it.
Oh yeah. Little Andy has NEVER made a bad move or non-move
I’ve been saying since the start of the season that there was no way for all of this team’s holes to be plugged under their self-imposed spending constraints. I’ve been saying since then that the plan to lean on one guy in the bullpen and surround him with other team’s castoffs wasn’t going to work. Took a lot of guff for saying so. Well now we should all know: Plan A was a lousy plan, and there’s no Plan B.
Sure, Pedro Baez is “an option”. Not a very good one, but still an option I guess.