Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Thu 6/8/23 10:29 AM

Jansen grabbed his knee during Tuesday's outing, but manager Alex Cora downplayed the issue, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Jansen pitched through the issue to record his 13th save. "Age, man. Age," Cora joked about the 35-year-old. "He's OK. He was getting treatment." Boston's closer was available for Wednesday's game.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Wed 6/7/23 8:38 AM

Jansen struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Guardians.
EDGE Analysis
After working both ends of Saturday's doubleheader, Jansen was able to get a couple days off before his next appearance and looked refreshed, topping out at 96.7 mph with his cutter while firing nine of 13 pitches for strikes. The veteran closer has been scored upon only once in his last seven games, but his 25.8 percent strikeout rate and 13.5 percent walk rate on the season would be the worst marks of his career if they don't improve.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Sun 6/4/23 7:31 AM

Jansen (1-3) gave up a hit and struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, recording his 12th save of the season, but he then gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in the second game to get tagged with the loss.
EDGE Analysis
All told, the veteran closer tossed 43 pitches (26 strikes) across both games, so Jansen will likely be unavailable for a couple days to recuperate should Boston have any late leads to protect. The right-hander has been a solid addition to the Red Sox bullpen this season, posting a 3.86 ERA and 22:12 K:BB through 18.2 innings while converting 12 of 15 save chances, but the team's lack of reliable high-leverage options to support him is beginning to take its toll -- Jansen's allowed multiple runs in three of his last eight appearances.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Sun 5/28/23 1:51 AM

Jansen earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.
EDGE Analysis
Jansen got the call to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and retired Arizona in order on 13 pitches. The veteran closer posted his third straight scoreless outing -- two of which have resulted in a save -- following a troubling pair of appearances in mid-May during which he blew two saves and allowed six runs (five earned) across one inning. Those two blowups have Jansen's ERA at 3.45 on the campaign, but he's kept the opponent off the scoreboard in 14 of his 17 outings overall.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Sun 5/21/23 1:32 AM

Jansen walked two and struck out none in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
Jansen made things a bit interesting with lackluster control, but he was able to work out of his own mess. He hadn't pitched in a week since taking a pair of blown saves versus the Cardinals last weekend. The 35-year-old closer is at a 3.95 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB through 13.2 innings this season while converting 10 of his 13 save chances. He's had some trouble adjusting to the pitch clock, and it's showing up in his elevated walk rate, but the Red Sox have yet to consider turning to a closing committee.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Sun 5/14/23 8:15 AM

Jansen was charged with three pitch-clock violations (one warning) during the ninth inning of Saturday's 4-3 loss to St. Louis.
EDGE Analysis
The violations contributed to Jansen blowing his second save in as many days. One of those violations resulted in ball four and put runners on first and second with none out. Jansen started his move to home plate before Willson Contreras, who was waiting for the clock to tick down to eight seconds, had his second foot in the box, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. "That's nothing against them, but I have to take advantage of the clock a little bit, especially in those situations where we're looking to create a rally," Contreras explained. "He's been struggling since last night throwing strikes, so I was just getting him upset a little bit, and it was nothing disrespectful." Jansen, who threw just eight strikes among his 17 pitches, vowed to learn from the experience.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Sun 5/14/23 12:50 AM

Jansen (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Saturday against the Cardinals. He allowed three runs on one hit and three walks while striking out zero over one inning.
EDGE Analysis
Jansen failed to convert a save opportunity for the second straight game, giving up three runs and three walks in the top of the ninth after Chris Sale handed him a 3-1 lead. The typically reliable closer has been off his game recently, giving up six runs over his last two appearances, and blowing three of his last six save chances. However, given his pedigree and track record of ninth inning success, Jansen's job appears to be safe, though the Red Sox could give other relievers some closing looks if his struggles continue.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Fri 5/12/23 11:31 PM

Jansen (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in Friday's loss to St. Louis. He was charged with a blown save and did not record an out.
EDGE Analysis
Jansen entered the ninth inning with a 6-5 lead and the Cardinals jumped on him immediately. After Lars Nootbaar tied the game with an RBI single, Jansen served up a go-ahead, two-run shot to Nolan Gorman. Jansen had allowed just one run through 11.2 innings before Friday's meltdown caused his ERA to jump to 3.09. After converting his first six save chances, he's blown two of his last five.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Wed 5/10/23 11:12 PM

Jansen allowed a hit and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Atlanta.
EDGE Analysis
Jansen reached the 400-save mark for his career by successfully protecting a three-run lead Wednesday. It was his ninth save in 10 chances this season. The right-hander's been charged with a run only once in 12 outings, which came in a blown save versus the Guardians on April 29. Jansen owns a 0.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB over 11.2 innings this season.

Kenley Jansen
RP BOS
Sun 5/7/23 2:14 AM

Jansen allowed one hit and struck out one batter in a scoreless inning against the Phillies on Saturday to earn a save.
EDGE Analysis
Jansen appears to be past a back injury that sidelined him late last week and into the beginning of this week, as he pitched for the second straight day Saturday. The veteran closer was sharp against Philadelphia, throwing 11 of 14 pitches for a strike and allowing just an infield single. Jansen has been dominant in his first season with Boston, allowing just one earned run and posting a 16:4 K:BB over 10.2 innings while converting eight of nine save chances. He's now at 399 saves for his career -- with his next one, he'll become the seventh pitcher in MLB history to reach 400.