Is Kenley Jansen available or not Saturday against the White Sox?
“I’ve got to play catch first,” Jansen said pregame.
Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen is dealing with a lat issue. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Getty Images
The Red Sox closer did not pitch Friday in a save situation. The Red Sox instead used Josh Winckowski to close out a 3-1 win over Chicago.
Jansen is dealing with lat inflammation, he confirmed before Saturday’s game. He told The Boston Globe after the game Friday that he won’t pitch again this season until it “calms down.”
But he seemed to change his tune Saturday. He said he might be available tonight but he first needed to see how he feels when he plays catch before the game.
Jansen said the lat issue started during Boston’s series against the Blue Jays Aug. 26-29. So he felt it during his poor outing in New York on Wednesday when he allowed four runs while recording just one out. He walked in a run.
“Trying to get my extension is hard to do,” Jansen said.
The 36-year-old has a 3.70 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and .210 batting average against in 48 outings this season.
“He’s available today,” manager Alex Cora said.
