(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Henk Seppen)
 Kenley Jansen sidelined 8-12 weekd
Nederlands
 PHOENIX, Arizona (USA) -
Kenley Jansen, closer of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will be sidelined for 8 to 12 weeks.
The righthanded pitcher underwent surgery on Tuesday on his left foot.
While working out and running, Jansen reported some discomfort last week.
After a series of tests, a growth on the fifth metatarsal was revealed.
The growth was removed on Tuesday.
It is expected that Jansen will be out until mid-May.
...Kenley Jansen pitching for the Orange squad...
...during the 2009 World Championships...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
The club said that as the absence of Jansen is expected to be relatively short, it plans not to acquire an expensive replacement closer.
Instead, the team will look for a closer during Spring Training.
The preparations for the upcoming season officially began on Thursday, as that's the day that pitchers and catchers have to report in camp with their respective clubs.
Former closers Brian Wilson and Chris Perez, who were used in short relief, set-up reliever or closer last season, became Free Agent and weren't re-signed.
The Dodgers did acquire three righthanded relievers in the off-season.
Formers closers Sergio Santos and David Aardsma were signed by the Dodgers tot minor league-contracts, but are also invited for Major League Spring Training.
Last season, Jansen appeared in 68 games and was credited with 44 saves in 50 opportunities.
The 27-year old Jansen last month signed a new one-year contract with the Dodgers for almost 7 1/2 million dollar.
The Curaçao-born Jansen made his Major League-debut in 2010 and has been on the roster for the Dodgers since.
In five seasons, Jansen pitched in 284 games, all in relief.
He has a 14-10 record and has 106 saves.
In 287 2/3 inning, Jansen struckout 448 batters.
In 2013, Jansen was added to the roster of the Netherlands National Team for the Final Round of the World Baseball Classic in San Francisco.
Jansen also played for the Orange squad during the Classic of 2009, but then as a catcher.
Later in the same year, Jansen played for the Dutch squad again during the World Championship, but then as a pitcher.
He signed his first professional contract with the Dodgers in 2004 as a catcher, making his professional debut on that position a year later.
He was then turned into a pitcher in 2009, which was followed by his Major League-debut the next year.
(February 18)
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