The Los Angeles Dodgers had five players named to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park, including Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez, who were named starters for the National League. Clayton Kershaw and Will Smith also earned All-Star selections, but the former didn’t participate due to left shoulder soreness.
Additional players with ties to the Dodgers were selected to the 93rd Midsummer Classic as well. The group included Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen, who spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Dodgers.
The right-hander earned his fourth career All-Star selection after going 2-4 with a 3.23, 3.05 FIP, 1.37 WHIP and 10.5 strikeouts per nine in 30.2 innings pitched across 32 games during the unofficial first half of the season.
Jansen took the opportunity to catch up with some of his former Dodgers teammates in Seattle, including Kershaw and Corey Seager. He also reunited with former Atlanta Braves teammate Ozzie Albies and mentor Dusty Baker.
Jansen, Kershaw and Seager were teammates for parts of seven seasons with the Dodgers, and together helped the franchise win the 2020 World Series. Jansen and Seager both left the organization after the 2021 season and have gone on to find success with their new teams.
As for Kershaw, he remains an important part of the Dodgers and is in the midst of another solid season. Despite being being unable to pitch in this year’s All-Star Game, the left-hander wanted to enjoy the festivities.
“The other part that’s disappointing is making the All-Star team. I know Charley really wanted to see me pitch, and I wanted to pitch in that,” Kershaw said.
“So that’s disappointing too. We’re still going to go and have a good time and everything. He’s getting into it now, so I would’ve liked for him to get to see that. That would’ve been cool.”
Kenley Jansen thanked former Dodgers staff after 400 saves
Earlier this season, Jansen became the seventh pitcher in MLB history to record at least 400 career saves. When reflecting on his milestone, Jansen thanked former Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, Charlie Hough, De Jon Watson and others who were instrumental in converting him to a relief pitcher.
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