Tigers Provide Injury Update on Kenley Jansen

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Tigers Provide Injury Update on Kenley Jansen

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Sakuraba | Last updated May 28, 2026 1:59 PM ET

Yet another injury has struck the Detroit Tigers' pitching staff, as they could be without their closer, Kenley Jansen, for the foreseeable future.

Jansen exited Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels after making two outs in the top of the ninth inning. It was a non-save situation for Jansen, but the Tigers clearly wanted to get their closer some work, as he had been laboring with an injury over the past few weeks. On May 2nd, the Tigers announced that Jansen was day-to-day with a groin/abdomen injury, and he made just one appearance through May 9th.

Wednesday night was just Jansen's third appearance since May 16th, and he has not picked up a save since May 4th. In his last appearance, Jansen struggled against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing a walk-off three-run home run to Colton Cowser. The blown save briefly inflated his ERA to over 5.00, and it was evident from his performance that his ailment was still affecting his play.

The Tigers today placed RHP Kenley Jansen on the 15-day injured list with pelvic inflammation. LHP Drew Sommers has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) May 28, 2026

On Thursday, the Tigers officially placed Jansen on the 15-Day IL with what the team is calling pelvic inflammation. Allowing Jansen to heal properly should be helpful for the closer, but how fast that happens at the age of 38 remains to be seen.

After signing a one-year, $11 million contract with the Tigers in the offseason, Jansen has struggled this year with a 4.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, and four blown saves in 18 appearances. He currently sits third on MLB's All-Time Saves Leaders list with 483, after passing Lee Smith earlier this year.

The Tigers have not announced who will replace Jansen as the team's closer while he is on the shelf. Detroit has several options, including Kyle Finnegan and Drew Anderson, who have both recorded saves this year in Jansen's absence. Will Vest, who recently returned from injury, could be another option and has closer experience from last season. On Wednesday, Brenan Hanifee replaced Jansen to secure the final out.

In a corresponding move, the Tigers have recalled reliever Drew Sommers from Triple-A Toledo to reinforce the ailing bullpen.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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