The Los Angeles Dodgers will found out Tuesday whether or not they have the services of closer Kenley Jansen, who hasn't pitched in a week after suffering a recurrence of a heart condition in Colorado. He will meet with team doctors Tuesday to find out if he can pitch again this season.
Jansen was hospitalized in Denver on Aug. 27 with an irregular heartbeat, the same condition that sidelined him for 28 days last season. Jansen also missed a few days during spring training this year with the same condition.
Jansen has been pitching bullpen sessions, running and doing all the regular activity he would normally do, but because he is on blood thinning medication he cannot risk pitching in games and possibly getting hit by a ball. Jansen is anxious to pitch again, and trying to stay focused on the positive before Tuesday's doctor appointment.
"I try not to think about it. I'm trying to stay positive," he said.
Jansen is 5-3 with a 2.54 and 25 saves in 56 games for the Dodgers this season, with a whopping 86 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings. In the last week, both Ronald Belisario and Brandon League have saved games with Jansen unavailable.
But even with expanded rosters and two extra pitchers in the Dodgers' bullpen, manager Don Mattingly feels something missing with Jansen out.
"Every day I feel like I'm down a guy, the way I'm having to use the back end right now," Mattingly said.
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