Red Sox’ Kenley Jansen avoiding Colorado trip due to health risks
Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen had a rough weekend against his former team in Los Angeles, but he’ll get a few days off to refocus, and for a perfectly understandable reason.
Jansen revealed to reporters on Sunday (via Alex Speier) that he’s not making the trip with the Red Sox to Denver, where they’ll take on the Colorado Rockies in a three-game set at Coors Field from Monday-Wednesday. While Jansen isn’t dealing with a new injury, he explained that he’s staying away from the thin Colorado air due to prior health concerns involving his heart.
The closer told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Dodgers that he’s had to have his heart shocked on three separate occasions after playing in Denver, in 2012, 2018, and 2022. Jansen has dealt with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can cause blood clots and also “increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
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So, Jansen is deciding to stay away from Denver and its high altitude, and the dangers it can present for people with heart concerns. Per Speier, Jansen “wanted to pitch [Sunday] to take some of the load off his teammates.”
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Jansen pitched the ninth inning of the Red Sox’ 9-6 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, throwing 20 pitches and allowing three runs. He blew just his second save opportunity of the 2024 season in Saturday’s 11-inning defeat, ultimately allowing four runs in two innings, including two home runs.
But, Jansen’s heart and his overall health will certainly take precedent for him over the next three days. The Red Sox (53-45) are coming off a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, and have dropped out of the American League Wild Card entering Monday. But the Rockies (36-64) should present them with a chance to bounce back, with or without Jansen.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.