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Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen has avoided a real health scare

Matt Dolloff March 25th
Feb 15, 2023; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) participates in spring training workouts at Fenway South Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen has to exit his most recent spring training appearance early with dizziness and lightheadedness, but it sounds like he’s dodged a more concerning health problem.

Jansen updated reporters on his status Saturday in Fort Myers, and confirmed his early exit in Friday’s game wasn’t a heart-related issue. Jansen has occasionally missed time due to issues with an irregular heartbeat since his diagnosis in 2011. But both he and Manager Alex Cora said there are no concerns about that stemming from his exit on Friday.

  • “I’m a little bit better,” Jansen said Saturday, via MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “I still, a little bit, feel something. I was just out of it. It’s not smart to keep pitching in spring training games when you’re kind of blacking out, out there, a little bit.”

    Cora seemed to not rule out a bout of food poisoning for Jansen. Dehydration feels like a possibility, too. But the most important thing was that it wasn’t related to his heartbeat and doesn’t appear to be a long-term issue. Cora is confident Jansen will be able to make his scheduled appearance on Sunday, per Cotillo.

  • Feb 15, 2023; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) participates in spring training workouts at Fenway South Player Development Complex. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

    Feb 15, 2023; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) participates in spring training workouts at Fenway South Player Development Complex. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

  • The Red Sox have just three more spring games before the regular season, which starts next Thursday night with the first of a three-game set against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. It sounds like Jansen will be available.

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    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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