Jansen’s lack of candor bothers Roberts
PHILADELPHIA — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts prides himself on open communication with players. He believes he does a good job being honest with them and cultivating trust. As a result, what happened Tuesday night with Kenley Jansen bothered him.
Jansen, inserted in the game in the ninth inning to protect a tworun lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, took a 98-mph grounder off his right ankle from the leadoff hitter. He hobbled but shook off the Dodgers dugout, insisting he was fine. Three batters later, after his limp became more noticeable, Roberts emerged from the dugout with a trainer to check on Jansen. The closer maintained he could stay in the game.
About half an hour later, after Bryce Harper laced a game-winning two-run double, Jansen told reporters his ankle went numb, he couldn’t drive off the mound, and he should’ve taken himself out of the game.
“When you give certainty that you’re not compromising yourself or the team, then I’m going to trust it,” Roberts said Wednesday. “And so to then go back and say, ‘I should’ve come out of the game,’ then it’s a little bit tough to swallow.”
Jansen said the pain and swelling in his ankle had subsided Wednesday, but he was not going to partake in any activities. Roberts said Julio Urias or Joe Kelly would close if the situation arose. A stint on the injured list is not expected.
So Jansen will return to his role soon, looking to rebound from another ninth-inning letdown. Two years ago, the 31-year-old Jansen was, arguably, the best reliever in baseball. Last season, his cutter’s velocity dropped, his earned-run average climbed from 1.32 to 3.01, and he yielded 13 home runs after giving up nine the previous two years while dealing with a heart condition.
This season, Jansen, utilizing a slider more often to counter his velocity dip, has blown four saves in 27 opportunities and owns a 3.72 ERA in 38 appearances.
Wednesday was the first time he gave up four runs in a game since Aug. 27, 2012.
Roberts insisted the team is not considering changing Jansen’s role in any way.
Neris is suspended for hitting Freese with pitch
Phillies closer Hector Neris was suspended three games by Major League Baseball after hitting the Dodgers’ David Freese with a pitch Tuesday.
MLB deemed Neris intentionally plunked Freese. The righthander had given up a go-ahead, three-run home run to Matt Beaty in the previous at-bat.
Neris hit Freese with a 95-mph fastball in a 1-and-0 count. He was immediately ejected. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler also was tossed. Short hops
Rich Hill is slated to throw Thursday for the first time since going on the injured list June 20 with a flexor tendon strain. Hill is expected to return in September . ... Thursday’s series finale between the Dodgers and Phillies will be the first game broadcast on YouTube. Scott Braun, Orel Hershiser and John Kruk will be on the call. First pitch is set for 9:30 a.m. PDT .... The Dodgers signed left-handed pitcher Jordan Martinson, who was selected in the 11th round by the New York Mets in last month’s draft but didn’t sign with the club before the July 12 deadline. Martin was drafted as a senior out of Dallas Baptist. He had 100 strikeouts and a 2.61 ERA in 100 innings.