Kenley Jansen, Relief Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Date of Birth: 9/30/1987
Birthplace: Willemstad, Curacao

Kenley Jansen, relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers at the age of 16 in 2004. He played in the Dodgers' minor league system in 2009 and 2010.

Jansen joined the Dodgers for 25 games in 2010. He had a 0.67 ERA in 27.0 innings. The following season, he pitched 53.2 innings in 51 games and he had five saves and a 2.85 ERA.

Jansen became the Dodgers' closer in May, 2012. He finished the 2012 season with 25 saves and a 2.35 ERA in 65.0 innings in 65 games. The following season, he split his time between being the Dodgers' closer and their setup man. He finished the 2013 season with career highs in games played (75), innings pitched (76.2), and strikeouts (111 to 18 walks). He had 28 saves and a 1.88 ERA.

In February, 2014, Jansen signed a one-year, $4.3 million contract with the Dodgers. As the team's closer in 2014, he had 44 saves and a 2.76 ERA in 65.1 innings in 68 games.

Jansen had foot surgery in February, 2015, and he was on the DL until May. As the Dodgers' closer in 54 games, he had 36 saves and a 2.41 ERA in 52.1 innings. He pitched 3.1 innings in 3 postseason games and he gave up 1 hit and 3 walks.

Jansen had another strong season in 2016, finishing with a 1.83 ERA in 71 games. He had a career high 47 saves and 104 strikeouts to just 11 walks in 68.2 innings. In the postseason, he gave up 5 hits and 4 runs and he had a 3.09 ERA in 11.2 innings in 7 games.

Jansen won the Trevor Hoffman award as the NL reliever of the year in 2016.

Jansen became a free agent on November 3, 2016. He signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Dodgers on January 10, 2017. He had another strong season in 2017, finishing with a 1.32 ERA. He had 5 wins and no losses, 41 saves (tied for second most in the major leagues), and 109 strikeouts to just 7 walks in 68.1 innings in 65 games. He pitched well also in the postseason, giving up 8 hits, including 2 home runs, and 4 runs in 16.2 innings in 13 games. He struck out 20 batters and walked 3 and he had a 1.62 ERA.

Jansen was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat on August 10, 2018. He returned healthy to the Dodgers and finished the season with 1 win and 5 losses, 38 saves, 82 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 3.01 ERA in 71.2 innings in 69 games. In the postseason, he pitched 10.2 innings in 9 games and he gave up 4 hits, 2 home runs, and 2 runs. He had 3 saves and a 1.69 ERA. He struck out 13 batters and walked 3.

Jansen finished the 2019 season with 5 wins and 3 losses, 33 saves, 80 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 3.71 ERA in 63.0 innings in 62 games. In the postseason, he pitched 1.2 innings in 2 games and he gave up no hits.

Jansen pitched in 27 games in 2020. He finished the season with 3 wins and 1 loss, 33 strikeouts to 9 walks, 11 saves, and a 3.33 ERA in 24.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 7.0 innings in 8 games, and he gave up 6 hits and 5 runs.

Jansen finished the 2021 season with 4 wins and 4 losses, 38 saves, 86 strikeouts to 36 walks, and a 2.22 ERA in 69.0 innings in 69 games. In the postseason, he gave up 3 hits and no runs in 7.0 innings in 8 games. He struck out 14 batters and walked 1.

Jansen became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Atlanta Braves on March 19, 2022.

Jansen became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Red Sox on December 13th.

Career pitching statistics for Jansen through 2021 include:

• 701 games played
• 705.0 innings pitched
• 37-26 win-loss record
• 350 saves
• 1,022 strikeouts to 204 walks
• 2.37 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Kenley Jansen
ESPN - Kenley Jansen