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Reports: Kenley Jansen could miss a month

The closer will be sidelined with an irregular heartbeat

MLB: Houston Astros at Los Angeles Dodgers Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After Thursday night’s victory over the Colorado Rockies, manager Dave Roberts announced closer Kenley Jansen was headed back to Los Angeles due to an irregular heartbeat. Whether or not the 30-year-old would miss any time was unknown.

On Friday morning, Buster Olney reported Jansen would miss a month.

For Kenley, this isn’t anything new. He had problems with an irregular heartbeat in 2011 and 2012, with the 2012 incident coming in Denver as well. In October of that same year, Jansen underwent heart surgery. This is his first known incident since.

During the broadcast it was mentioned Jansen was feeling under-the-weather and would be unavailable out of the pen. Turns out he didn’t even make it to Coors Field, as he was flying back to Los Angeles to meet with a cardiologist.

On the season, Jansen has 32 saves, along with a 2.15 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.

With Jansen out a month, the Dodgers will have to be creative with who will pitch the ninth inning. On Thursday night, Scott Alexander got the save. On the season, Alexander only has two saves, and he might be the best option. Both Pedro Baez and John Axford have proven to be unreliable, and the rest of their relievers lack the experience. Dylan Floro has been good for the Dodgers, posting a 2.02 ERA, though he has zero saves in his career.

Whether or not who closes games, the Dodgers will have a lot to figure out and manage until Jansen returns.