Braves bullpen takes massive hit with Kenley Jansen going on IL

Kenley Jansen going on the injured list is a massive hit for the Atlanta Braves bullpen.

Not even one game removed from blowing a save against his former team, new Atlanta Braves closer Kenley Jansen is going on the injured list with an irregular heartbeat.

Atlanta was one out away from taking two of three from those artful Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball. Instead, Jansen blew a save against his former team, as Atlanta would lose in extra innings, 5-3. Not to say we all knew something was up with him in the latter part of the game, but it is just terrible that he has to go on IL now with something as serious as his heart.

The Braves recalled Jesus Cruz from Triple-A to replace Jansen, who now goes on the 15-day IL.

While the consolation prize may not be an economy-sized dream of hope, Tyler Matzek is beginning his rehab assignment with Single-A Augusta and Jay Jackson is now with Gwinnett.

Unfortunately, this is something Jansen has dealt with before, as he had corrective heart surgery back in 2018 after having had this condition for about a decade now.

Atlanta Braves bullpen takes huge hit with Kenley Jansen going on 15-day IL

So what does this mean for the Braves going forward? One would expect last year’s closer Will Smith will now toe the rubber in the ninth inning. He may be one of manager Brian Snitker’s favorite players, but The Will Smith Experience is nothing short of nightly torture for Braves Country. He was absolutely elite in October, but last regular season, he was anything but that.

Atlanta is fortunate to have depth at all levels of its pitching staff. Jackson, Matzek and potentially Kirby Yates could be returning to the bullpen in short order. Outside of Ian Anderson’s season-long struggles, the Braves’ starting rotation has played an integral part in the team having by far and away its best month of the year. For now, Atlanta will have to adjust to how it closes out games.

Over the course of the next 15 days or so, the Braves have a mixed bag when it comes to their schedule. They have three vs. a quality Philadelphia Phillies team, as well as series with the lowly Cincinnati Reds, the always-solid St. Louis Cardinals, the cellar-dwelling Washington Nationals and a three-gamer at home vs. the abhorrent New York Mets. It should be a good time alright … or not.

Here is to Jansen getting healthy and making a swift return to the Braves bullpen who needs him.