Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen could return pitching to the team in two weeks, he learned today. Jansen met with doctors regarding his irregular heartbeat and is being kept out an extra 10 days or so as a precaution after taking blood thinning medication.
Jansen was hospitalized last week for a recurrence of an irregular heartbeat, an injury that sidelined him for four weeks in 2011. He has been able to throw bullpen sessions and take part in regular cardiovascular activity, but can't pitch in games for fear he would be hit by a ball. Doctors advised Jansen to miss the next 10 days or so, then he will be re-evaluated. He is expected to be ready to pitch when the Dodgers open a three-game series in Washington D.C. against the Nationals on Sept. 18.
Jansen will also likely have offseason surgery to correct the irregular heartbeat, but the procedure, called cardiac ablation, is not invasive. Jansen would presumably be ready for spring training after the surgery.
If anything the news was a relief to Jansen, who could have been shut down for the season on Tuesday.
"It's definitely a relief," Jansen said. "It's not something you want to worry about."
In the meantime the Dodgers will use a combination of Ronald Belisario and Brandon League to close games.
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