The Atlanta Braves were dealt a particularly worrying injury blow on Tuesday. The team announced that star closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to June 27, due to an irregular heartbeat. In a corresponding move, Jesus Crus was recalled to the MLB roster.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Jesús Cruz to Atlanta and placed RHP Kenley Jansen on the 15-day injured list with an irregular heartbeat, backdated to June 27.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 28, 2022
Jansen has dealt with cardiac issues for much of his playing career, so the irregular heartbeat isn't new for the 34-year-old. He first was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat all the way back in 2011 when he was just in his second season in MLB, pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit the IL as a result of his cardiac problems in 2011, 2012, and 2018.
In 2012, Jansen had a cardiac ablation procedure done, which seemed to do the trick until the issues returned in 2018. Jansen then underwent corrective heart surgery after the 2018 season. Following that procedure, he hadn't experienced any cardiac-related setbacks up until this past week.
It's difficult to gauge a timetable for Jansen's return to the Braves, especially considering how serious and uncommon an irregular heartbeat is. Jansen will likely need to pass various tests before he's ready to return to action, so it's unclear when the Braves can expect to have their closer back. Obviously, getting his cardiac issues sorted out will be the top priority.
This season, Jansen has registered 20 saves while logging a 3.52 ERA with 49 strikeouts, 8 walks, and a 0.949 WHIP across 32.2 innings of work. In his last outing before hitting the IL, Jansen blew his fourth save of the season against the Dodgers on Sunday night, giving up a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning.
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