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Los Angeles Dodgers Kenley Jansen to have heart surgery

By Hayden Godfrey

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers preapres to pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers preapres to pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen will undergo heart surgery on Nov. 26, according to a recent report.

According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen will have heart surgery later this month, undergoing the procedure on November 26. Gurnick notes that the recovery time could vary from two to eight weeks, though Jansen is likely to be ready for spring training regardless.

Jansen, 31, is no stranger to heart issues, having been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat in 2011 and missing some time that season. He continued to struggle with heart problems, undergoing a separate procedure in 2012 for a different issue in his left atrium.

Although it’s always unsettling to see an athlete undergo such a serious and unconventional procedure, it’s reassuring that it’s not of a more grave nature. Though Dodgers fans will still see their closer back in action for the start of the season, the team will surely be keeping a close watch on him through the first few months on baseball.

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Last season, the native of Willemstad, Curacao pitched to a 3.01 ERA in 71.2 frames, striking out 82 and walking 17 while racking up 38 saves and appearing in 69 games, 59 of which he finished. He was a National League All-Star and had a stellar WHIP of 0.991.

Under contract for another three seasons, Jansen will once again lead the Dodgers bullpen has they hope to finally win an elusive World Series title that has escaped them over the past two years. A formidably reliable reliever, Jansen has been, and will continue to be, a key cog in their pitching staff.

Jansen will, as per the report, be fine and ready for the spring. While it’s never a good time to have heart surgery, it’s fantastic that he and the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to sort it out in the offseason, when he’ll have enough time to properly recover and regain strength before getting back into baseball.

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Call to the Pen wishes Kenley Jansen the best in his recovery.

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