Kenley Jansen and the Los Angeles Dodgers endured a scare last August when the closer experienced an irregular heartbeat the morning of a series beginning with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
It marked a second time in six years Jansen experienced the trouble in Denver. He was taken to a local hospital and returned to Los Angeles. Jansen was placed on the 10-day disabled list (now the injured list).
He eventually required a heart procedure last November, which was said to have removed any risk for Jansen pitching at high altitude. He expressed excitement over the opportunity to return to Coors Field, and got his chance to pitch in Saturday’s win.
After recording a four-out save, Jansen said his mechanics were locked in and he is pleased to have cleared a mental hurdle, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com
“Felt like my mechanics really clicked,” said Jansen. “That muscle memory you’re looking for, I felt it.”
“I feel great. I feel amazing,” said Jansen. “It’s not in my mind [pitching at altitude], it’s just that I’m glad I got this one. I definitely feel great about it.”
Jansen was one of four relief pitchers Dodgers manager Dave Roberts used in the eighth inning. After working a scoreless seventh inning, Yimi Garcia allowed a leadoff single in the eighth and was promptly removed.
Caleb Ferguson threw all of four pitches — walking Charlie Blackmon — before giving way to Dylan Floro. He retired Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado but allowed an RBI single to David Dahl. So Jansen was summoned out of the bullpen for his first four-out save of the season.
He struck out Ian Desmond, who represented he tying run, to end the inning. Jansen then stranded a leadoff double in the ninth to give him 5.1 shutout innings this year and a fourth save in as many opportunities.
