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Future Hall of Fame closer Kenley Jansen is at the center of the Detroit Tigers' bullpen struggles.
The Tigers left the 38-year-old on the mound for 36 pitches on April 22, marking his highest pitch count since 2011 at age 23, and in his next two outings (on April 24 and April 29), he surrendered walk-off home runs on middle-middle pitches.
The Tigers' bullpen is in trouble, as it entered its game against the Texas Rangers on Friday, May 1, against the Texas Raners, sitting 21st in MLB with a 4.39 ERA, but it's not just Jansen. Right-handed reliever Will Vest is sidelined with something that isn't showing up on the twice-per-week injury report.
"Will is not 100%," manager A.J. Hinch said Friday before the opener of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
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It's unclear if Vest is injured.
Hinch didn't share any additional information.
Vest hasn't pitched since Sunday's 8-3 road win against the Cincinnati Reds, skipping all of the recent series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
In Thursday's 5-2 win, the Tigers turned to right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan – not Jansen (or Vest) – in a ninth-inning save situation. He protected the three-run lead, shutting down the Braves for his first save in his first opportunity this season.
Why not Jansen?
"We're just trying to win the game as best we can," Hinch said. "It was a quick turnaround for Kenley. Our bullpen has been taxed quite a bit. We were just trying to get to the finish line."
OLD FRIEND: Tigers acquire shortstop Zack Short in trade with Nationals
Jansen, a 17-year MLB veteran, ranks third on MLB's all-time saves list with 482, needing 18 more to become the third player to reach 500, joining Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601).
In 2026, Jansen has six saves in nine opportunities.
That keeps Jansen on pace for 24 more saves in the final 130 games, but the Tigers need him to bounce back.
"We're going through a few things," Hinch said. "Obviously, the bullpen has been leaned on quite a bit. There are guys that are not feeling at their best. That's what we're working through. We're going day-by-day."
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Will Vest 'not 100%' as Kenley Jansen struggles
Continue reading...
The Tigers left the 38-year-old on the mound for 36 pitches on April 22, marking his highest pitch count since 2011 at age 23, and in his next two outings (on April 24 and April 29), he surrendered walk-off home runs on middle-middle pitches.
The Tigers' bullpen is in trouble, as it entered its game against the Texas Rangers on Friday, May 1, against the Texas Raners, sitting 21st in MLB with a 4.39 ERA, but it's not just Jansen. Right-handed reliever Will Vest is sidelined with something that isn't showing up on the twice-per-week injury report.
"Will is not 100%," manager A.J. Hinch said Friday before the opener of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
THE LATEST: Justin Verlander injury update: 'Still fighting through it' in bullpens
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It's unclear if Vest is injured.
Hinch didn't share any additional information.
Vest hasn't pitched since Sunday's 8-3 road win against the Cincinnati Reds, skipping all of the recent series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
In Thursday's 5-2 win, the Tigers turned to right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan – not Jansen (or Vest) – in a ninth-inning save situation. He protected the three-run lead, shutting down the Braves for his first save in his first opportunity this season.
Why not Jansen?
"We're just trying to win the game as best we can," Hinch said. "It was a quick turnaround for Kenley. Our bullpen has been taxed quite a bit. We were just trying to get to the finish line."
OLD FRIEND: Tigers acquire shortstop Zack Short in trade with Nationals
You must be registered for see images attach
Jansen, a 17-year MLB veteran, ranks third on MLB's all-time saves list with 482, needing 18 more to become the third player to reach 500, joining Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601).
In 2026, Jansen has six saves in nine opportunities.
That keeps Jansen on pace for 24 more saves in the final 130 games, but the Tigers need him to bounce back.
"We're going through a few things," Hinch said. "Obviously, the bullpen has been leaned on quite a bit. There are guys that are not feeling at their best. That's what we're working through. We're going day-by-day."
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Will Vest 'not 100%' as Kenley Jansen struggles
Continue reading...
