Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen had a challenging Grapefruit League debut against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Alex Kirilloff greeted him rudely by smashing his second pitch over the replica Green Monster at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. Later in the inning, Christian Vázquez added insult to injury with a two-out solo shot to center.
Entering the game in the sixth inning after a delay in his spring training start due to a lat strain, Jansen maintained composure despite the rough outing. Reflecting on his performance, he emphasized the need to focus on improvement as the season progresses.
Jansen’s primary goal this spring is to refine his cutter to mid-season form, a pitch crucial to his success. With four more outings scheduled, he remains confident that he will be prepared to confidently take the mound for the Red Sox in their season opener on March 28 in Seattle.
Both homers conceded were off cutter pitches that missed their mark, highlighting the importance of consistency in Jansen’s repertoire. Despite acknowledging the ongoing process of building arm strength, Jansen remains optimistic about his progress and is grateful for the opportunity to pitch pain-free.
At 36 years old, Jansen boasts an impressive career with 420 saves and signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Red Sox ahead of the 2023 season. While trade discussions and injury setbacks have presented challenges this offseason, Jansen remains committed to representing the Red Sox proudly and staying focused on his preparation for the upcoming season.
