CLEVELAND (DA) — Kenley Jansen remains on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, giving the Detroit Tigers a potential bullpen boost as the veteran closer works back from pelvic inflammation.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Jansen is expected to return when first eligible. The 38-year-old right-hander has been sidelined since last month because of the injury.
Jansen made one rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. Hinch acknowledged Jansen looked rusty in that outing after the right-hander allowed 3 earned runs while recording only 2 outs.
The encouraging sign for Detroit was that the pelvic issue that sent Jansen to the injured list was not a problem during the rehab assignment.
Jansen, who was born in Willemstad, Curaçao, is 1-3 with a 4.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 19 strikeouts and 7 saves this season. He also has 4 blown saves during an uneven 2026 campaign.
Despite the struggles, Jansen could get another chance to handle the Tigers’ closer role once he returns.