Red Sox place closer Kenley Jansen on COVID-19 injured list
Red Sox
Jansen will now have to sit out seven days due to his COVID-19 designation.
Kenley Jansen threw just 13 pitches Tuesday before exiting his relief outing due to illness. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Just a day after abruptly leaving a relief appearance due to fatigue and symptoms of illness, Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the COVID-19 injured list.
Alex Cora announced the news Wednesday before Boston’s rain-delayed game against the Yankees, with the team making the decision official less than an hour later. While Jansen hit the IL, left-handed pitcher Brandon Walter was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to fill Jansen’s spot.
Jansen will be required to sit out seven days due to his COVID designation, per MLB protocols.
The Red Sox’ only 2023 All-Star representative left Tuesday night’s contest against the Yankees in the ninth inning, throwing just 13 pitches in the return game of a doubleheader before being pulled.
“He was a little dizzy,” Cora said after the game of Jansen’s condition. “They are watching him. So we’ll see where we stand with him.
This is the second time in three weeks that the Red Sox have placed a pitcher on the COVID-19 injured list. Left-hander Brennan Bernadino was placed on the roster on August 27. He returned to the team on September 3.
Jansen’s expected week-long absence is another blow to a Red Sox team that has gained momentum in these final weeks of the 2023 season. In his first year with Boston, Jansen has appeared in 51 games, posting a 3.63 ERA and recording 29 saves.
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