Jansen won't make his scheduled Grapefruit League appearance Monday against the Twins due to lower-back tightness, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox aren't concerned and think Jansen could be ready to pitch as soon as Tuesday, so his absence shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day. Jansen had previously been limited by a lat issue and has made just one appearance this spring. It's not an ideal way to prep for the season, but as a one-inning reliever, the 36-year-old closer shouldn't need as much ramp-up time as other pitchers.

Jansen (lat) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's spring game against Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen surrendered a pair home runs in his Grapefruit League debut and shook off the results. "It's my first outing, and we'll sharpen things up as we go," Jansen told Ian Browne of MLB.com. He's particularly focused on getting his cutter in shape. Jansen estimates he'll need another four outings to be ready by Opening Day. His next scheduled outing comes Monday.

Jansen (lat) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and is still expected to make his spring debut Friday against the Twins, Ian Browne of MLB.comreports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran closer came into camp dealing with lat soreness but has ramped up his throwing program recently, and he's now on the cusp of game action. Jansen will have just under two weeks to prep for Opening Day in Seattle on March 28.

Jansen (lat) said Wednesday that he's targeting the Red Sox's March 15 game against the Twins for his Grapefruit League debut, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen came into camp battling right lat soreness but recently progressed to facing hitters and is a little over a week away from a game appearance. He'll have less than two weeks to prep for Opening Day, but that's not expected to be a problem. Jansen will open the season as Boston's closer.

Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's possible the session is postponed due to rainy conditions in Florida, but if not, it will be the first time Jansen has faced hitters this spring as he works his way back from right lat soreness. The 36-year-old closer shouldn't require too many Grapefruit League appearances to prep for Opening Day, so he has plenty of time to get ready as long as he avoids setbacks.

Jansen (lat) did some flat-ground throwing Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen is a tad behind schedule after coming into came with a bit of general right lat soreness. However, that he's already progressed to flat-ground work is a good sign. Assuming he's healthy and not traded, Jansen is slated to open the 2024 campaign as Boston's closer.

Jansen reported to spring training Wednesday but won't immediately start a throwing program due to general lat soreness, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Everything initially appeared to be in order after the veteran closer's individual workout Wednesday morning, but Boston GM Craig Breslow then announced the lat injury. It's believed to be a mild issue, but coming into spring training with a new injury is always a concerning development. Jansen said he hopes to being throwing in about a week, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald.

Jansen performed an individual workout at spring training Wednesday and doesn't appear to have any physical limitations heading into the regular season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen didn't pitch after Sept. 12 last season following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list, but he had a normal offseason and is preparing to return to his familiar role as the Red Sox's closer. However, with Jansen in the final year of his contract and with the Red Sox not profiling as a major contender in the American League coming off an 84-loss season, Boston is reportedly listening to trade offers for the 36-year-old reliever, per Christopher Smith and Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican. Jansen is no longer one of the game's elite closers, but he was still serviceable enough when healthy in 2023, logging a 3.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB in 44.2 innings while converting 29 of 33 save chances.

Manager Alex Cora announced Friday that Jansen will not pitch again this season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen was activated off the COVID-19 injured list last weekend, but he hasn't made an appearance since Sept. 12 and the Red Sox don't have a reason to push him out there in their final two regular-season games. The veteran closer is due a $16 million salary from Boston in 2024.

The Red Sox reinstated Jansen from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 13 and will now return to Boston's bullpen after a 10-day absence, sending Zack Weiss back to Triple-A Worcester. The 35-year-old closer has allowed five runs in three innings across his last five appearances, and he hasn't recorded a save since Aug. 20.