Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen will be delayed in camp by what chief baseball officer Craig Breslow described as “general lat soreness,” as relayed by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (X link). The four-time All-Star isn’t yet throwing, although he has been cleared to take part in other drills.
There’s nothing to suggest the issue is particularly serious or even threatens Jansen’s availability for Opening Day. It could be a small complicating factor in trade discussions that Boston has regarding the veteran righty, however. The Sox are reportedly open to offers on each of Jansen, Chris Martin and John Schreiber. Jansen’s name has been floated most frequently among that group, largely a reflection of his $16MM salary for the upcoming season. Jen McCaffrey of the Athletic reports that, as of Wednesday evening, the Sox weren’t close to a Jansen deal.
Breslow acknowledged the team could field trade interest on the veteran reliever yesterday. “Where we stand is he’s on this team, he is an All-Star-caliber closer who’s had an incredible career, and we’re happy for that,” he told reporters on Tuesday (link via Speier). “We have talented players on our team that are potentially of interest to others. But as of right now we’re excited about what he brings, what the back end of our bullpen brings, and the depth that we have down there.”
Jansen has generally avoided arm injuries throughout his career. He has had a few injured list stints over the years related to an irregular heartbeat and had a minimal IL stay last September for virus reasons. He was otherwise healthy in 2023 and pitched 51 times. In 44 2/3 innings, he worked to a 3.63 ERA. Jansen struck out 27.7% of opposing hitters and averaged 94.3 MPH on his cutter — his highest average velocity in a decade.
lat soreness < elbow tendinitis < Tommy John. Many such cases.
Just Great.
And Boston has been trying to trade him this winter, oof.
No way he gets traded now, at least early on
I wanted Hoyer to see about getting him but now with this, I think I’d rather the Cubs take a look at Martin instead. Breslow’s window to trade Kenley is pretty much closed with this news, just my two cents.
Is it “lat soreness” or he just doesn’t want to start packing boxes?
Jansen trying to discourage any trade potential.
Because he really wants to play for a last place team?
Exactly my thought. Although Boston could be appealing. If he wants to win, he’ll want to get traded. I wouldn’t rule the Sox out now but other teams have better chances
How do the Red Sox finish higher than 5th in the AL East this year?
$16M price tag, possibility of lost time, or even a lost season, yeah, if I were Red Sox management I’d be holding my breath just a bit–regardless of whether they intend to keep him or trade him
Jumping to “possibility of a lost season” from this report is crazy
Soreness in mid-February is a lost season?
Mike
“$16M price tag, possibility of lost time, or even a lost season, yeah, if I were Red Sox management I’d be holding my breath just a bit–regardless of whether they intend to keep him or trade him”
Exhibit A for why I think people are full of it (shh ..) when they say there’s 3 rather win one championship in ten years then suck for nine than be good for 10 but not win
The Red Sox don’t even suck but their fans are so grumpy and negative
Yup there goes our chance to to trade Jansen. If we are all about shredding payroll and building a great farm system then all about trading the guys that can net us a good return of younger prospects near ML ready. My suggestion would be Jansen, Martin and Devers for think those three would yield the biggest haul. This team is at best 74-88. Why not unload and hope we can be the 2023 Orioles in a few Years. Jmo
The determination of Red Sox fans to be miserable really is remarkable
Who is going to trade for Devers with all that money for a DH?
Devers is un-tradable with that contract.
No one we are stuck with him just wished we was able to
Someone who sends back a VERY bad contract or two, and, demands one of the red sox top 100 plus 2 more org top 20s in exchange for a lottery ticket
Yeah, I would rather keep Devers.
Lets be fair to Devers (wow I bet nobody saw that coming!!)
As a DH he’s expensive but could provide $25MM of value during his good years, $20MM in his average years and $15MM in his bad years. Overall, during the next 10 seasons I think there will be 4 good years, 2 average years and 4 bad years. Once he hits 33 I don’t think he’ll return $15MM of value per season after that. Look at how Miggy, Pujols and other guys who made the majors in their teens did after 32.
If he plays 3B, his value drops by $5MM per year for his defense. Good years are worth $20MM instead of $25MM and so on. So the sooner he moves to DH the sooner he”ll start earning something closer to what he is being paid.
That’s why I wanted the Devers for Arenado deal. Shorter term for Arenado. Similar money with Devers costing slightly more but is half a decade younger. When Arenado gets old his contract will be ending. When Devers gets too old he’ll have 3 or 4 more years left, possibly more!!
Uh oh spaghetti
… oh.
“Nothing to suggest the injury is serious or threatens his status for opening day”…
And I am certain that teams thinking about trading for Kenley fully accept that statement —-NOT!
You know your soreness is serious when it has obtained the ranking of General
Why do all these injuries happen right before spring training starts? These players have been off for almost five months – more than enough time to get/stay in shape – now we’re stuck with a guy we could’ve/should’ve traded weeks ago. It sucks!
Couldn’t t agree more a simple exercise would have been all it took for Jansen. He don’t want to pitch on a last place team though on the other hand so i am lost
Guess he’s gonna get a lat start to Spring Training.
I’ve been dealing with general knee soreness for 30 years.
Rub some dirt on it and get out there!
That was the name of our leader when I was in the Army.
“There’s nothing to suggest the issue is particularly serious or even threatens Jansen’s availability for Opening Day. It could be a small complicating factor in trade discussions that Boston has regarding the veteran righty, however.”
Small? Right. No sane GM would touch him with a barge pole right now unless the trade price was a bag of used jock straps and the Red Sox agreed to pick up $16 million in salary.
Particularly with an UCL sprain. That’s either months of rest then rehab or TJ. They’re stuck with him now for sure. Unless they pay his entire contract by sending money in a deal to a contender like Texas, LA or Atlanta, who seem to be collecting closers/former closers. They might figure that they can afford to stash him…..I highly doubt it though.
FYI – Don’t worry about Jansen’s health. He’s covered under AARP.
In the last week some Big Dr got into trouble for accepting to make false reports of injuries just to help some teams make moves on rosters… well o don’t believe this injury is real for me it’s another excuse by our Red Sox big office just to add a no big name to the team and also make us believe because of that can’t sing Montgomery, simple another lie. ” FULL THROTTLE “
Somebody (a coach) got in trouble recently for lying about injuries. I wanna say it was football tho. Could be the same doctor you’re talking about though. If a doctor was involved by making the diagnosis. I just read the headline, lol.
can anyone tell me where this season’s Red Sox services are being held, I want to send flowers in this time of sadness.
You’re correct on the outcome but the date is yet in the future. Mid August oughta do it.
Yankee – I loved the comment!!! Is it proper etiquette to send flowers or chocolates to the team that finishes right in front of the cellar team? haha
in lieu of flowers we prefer you make a charitable donation to the non-profit 2004 recovery program. There are still some Yankee fans struggling with the outcome.
They shudda traded him. Now they’re stuck with him.
Not disclosing the injury is against the rules before a trade. And is a great way to become the young GM no one trusts. And for What? To a save a few million.
If you tell the other team, you get next to nothing.
Best to go real slow with him early in the season and trade at All-Star Break. If he stays relatively healthy and has a couple of good months, he could get a nice return.
APBA – That’s right. He’s not dying and he’s a top end closer. One closer going down creates a market for him and a decent return assuming Breslow can do what Bloom couldn’t.
Check the list of teams that don’t have a closer comparable to Jansen.
PHILLIES – Alvarado
TEXAS – Leclerc and Robertson
Contenders who would need him if their closer went down:
ATLANTA – Iglesias
BALTIMORE – Kimbrel
LA DODGERS – Phillips
MILWAUKEE – Williams
TORONTO – Romano
NY YANKEES – Holmes
Trading in division is NOT likely but the others are all significantly better than their back-ups that Jansen would be a great alternative from the ROOKIE GM and last place team.
What was written up as a lat issue somehow got translated to TJ surgery by folks on the website. Did I miss something? Was there another injury reported?
The lats are NOT on your arm or elbow specifically so why would TJ surgery be a result?
This is the type of injury pitchers get when you strain your BACK not arm. Hitters get it when they swing improperly. It’s recovery time is usually based on the degree of the stain. If it’s a light strain, he’ll be ready by opening day. If it’s a strain like Mondesi had multiple times he could miss a major portion of the season.
What’s certain is Jansen is now more likely to be moved at the trade deadline rather than Spring Training if the report of his injury is true.
I’m sore. I’ll get better if you give me more money or if you trade me. Understand?
Fever – Did you see DD got Merrifield? Quality depth. He is better than most of our starters. $8MM. We paid $17MM for Grissom. and his control years. Can you imagine having an infield of:
C – Realmuto
1B – Harper
2B – Stott
SS – Trea Turner
3B – Bohm
MI back-up Merrifield
CI back-up E Sosa
With an OF of Schwarber, Castellanos, Marsh with Merrifield also a back-up OF
I remember when DD built a team like this one in Boston.
Gosh we are lucky to have Breslow and Bloom!!!
Redsox Nation is BOYCOTTING EVERYTHING REDSOX until they spend accordingly on ACEs.
Games or concessions at Fenway NO
Games or consessions at Fenway South No
Games or concessions at Salem Redsox No
Games on NESN No
Subscription to Boston Globe No
MLB Ticket streaming services No
Merchandise Definitely Not as at this point it’s embarrassing for Redsox Nation to wear them in competitive MLB. When you spend your time & money on a team Redsox Nation Built John Henry we will resume spending our time & money as well. Until then reap what you’ve sewn. Taking top dollars from us for little in return demonstrates your complete lack of respect for those fans & families who built this Redsox Nation & Team over 124 years and many generations. Good Day Sir
so you speak for all of red sox nation now? go do something that might actually have an impact like picketing in front of fenway park instead of ranting on a message board that no one from the red sox management or ownership probably knows about let alone reads.