Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen to miss upcoming series due to health issues

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen will be out of the series in Colorado due to health concerns.

Jansen said after Sunday’s 9-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers that doctors had to shock his heart back into rhythm after three previous trips to Colorado.

The most recent time was in 2022 when Jansen was with the Atlanta Braves. It also happened in 2012 and ’18 when he pitched for the Dodgers.

“There’s been too many things that happened to me there,” Jansen said. “It started when I got back to Atlanta. I started having problems and a couple weeks later I got AFib again. I just try to avoid that now.

“We’re trying to get to the postseason. I don’t think that’s a good time to go out there and blow it. Before you know it, it’s going to hurt the team even more.”

Jansen travels back to Boston and will be ready when the Red Sox host the Yankees in a three-game series beginning Friday.

It was a tough weekend for Jansen, who returned to Dodger Stadium for only the second time since leaving Los Angeles after the 2021 season.

On Saturday, the right-handed pitcher allowed a homerun to Kiké Hernández in the ninth inning to tie the score at 4-4, before the Dodgers won 7-6 in 11 innings.

It was the first home run Jansen allowed this season.

On Sunday, Jansen entered in the eighth inning despite the Red Sox trailing, telling manager Alex Cora before the game that he wanted to pitch because the bullpen in Colorado was understaffed.

Jansen gave up three runs in the eighth inning, including a solo hit by Jason Heyward.

“I just have to turn the page and be ready for the next series,” said Jansen, who ranks fifth in the American League with 18 saves.

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