The Los Angeles Dodgers made it all the way to Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, playing into the month of November, which made their offseason significantly shorter than almost every other club.
Perhaps no one felt the fatigue of that World Series run more than Kenley Jansen, who pitched more than one inning in most of the Dodgers’ playoff games. Overall, Jansen threw 85 innings between the regular season and postseason, which was a career-high.
Because of his workload in 2017, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the plan is to ease Jansen, among others, into things a bit this spring so as to avoid fatigue down the stretch of the 2018 season and into potential playoff games.
On Monday, Roberts provided further details, saying that Jansen will likely only pitch in two games this spring to get ready for Opening Day, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Kenley Jansen will only pitch in two Cactus League games, Dave Roberts said.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) February 26, 2018
Jansen himself has said that it doesn’t take much for him to get ready for the regular season. In addition to potential Cactus League appearances, he presumably will see action on the Minor League side of Camelback Ranch and in live batting practice.
Jansen previously had different routine during Spring Training when he underwent foot surgery in 2015 and didn’t make his debut until May of that season.
In addition to Jansen, the Dodgers are exercising caution with Austin Barnes and Corey Seager. Both are dealing with minor elbow issues and have yet to see the field. Alex Wood’s schedule was also moved back a bit due to an ankle injury he suffered at the beginning of camp, although he made his spring debut on Monday.
With still a month to go, there is plenty of time to get Jansen on track and other players healthy Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on March 29.
