Braves reinstate closer Kenley Jansen from IL
The Atlanta Braves are getting their closer back.
Jansen was placed on the 15-day injured list two weeks ago with an irregular heartbeat and the closer's job has been split between veteran lefty Will Smith and fellow southpaw A.J. Minter. In Jansen's absence, Smith has earned three saves and is up to five on the year, while Minter has recorded all four of his saves since Jansen went on the IL.
The former three-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers signed a one-year, $16 million contract with Atlanta in March and has gone 4-0 with a 3.58 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 20 saves in 24 opportunities, while recording 47 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings across 32 appearances this season.
The 34-year-old Jansen has had multiple heart issues in the past, as he first dealt with an irregular heartbeat during the 2011 season. He also had an "ablation procedure in November 2018 to address atrial fibrillation triggered by the high altitude in Denver, Colo., earlier that year" according to The Athletic and also underwent a similar procedure following the 2012 campaign.
More must-reads: