Dave Roberts kicked the can that is his closer controversy down the road another day, the Los Angeles Dodgers manager refusing to give up on Kenley Jansen but declining to commit to him pitching the late innings of another close playoff game.
Jansen had another erratic outing Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, when he needed 30 pitches to record two outs and nearly blew a three-run ninth-inning lead in a 6-5 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Jansen faced five batters and gave up three hits _ Jake Cronenworth's infield single that capped an 11-pitch at-bat, Mitch Moreland's RBI double and Trent Grisham's RBI single _ before giving way to Joe Kelly. As his pitch count rose, his velocity declined and his command wavered.
With so little margin for error in the postseason, can Roberts trust Jansen in a high-leverage situation when he's struggling like this?
"Um ... I think right now, certainly, leverage matters," Roberts said before Game 3. "I think I'm going to continue to watch the game, to talk to the pitching coaches, to talk to Kenley. I'm not gonna make that decision yet."
A decision to demote Jansen would be difficult _ and emotional _ for Roberts. Jansen, 33, holds franchise records for saves (312) and postseason saves (17) and has played an integral role in the team's eight-year reign as division champions. He and the manager are close.
"I understand, and I'm very sensitive to what he has accomplished on the baseball field as a closer, as a premium All-Star," Roberts said. "But we also have to look at real time and do what's best for the Dodgers, and he understands that."
Jansen went 3-1 with a 3.33 ERA and 11 saves in 24 games during the regular season, but his mechanics haven't looked right for a month. He earned the save in the playoff opener against Milwaukee, but his command and velocity _ one cut-fastball was clocked at 86 mph _ were so alarming that Roberts used Brusdar Graterol as closer the next day.
"I don't know the reason," Roberts said, when asked if Jansen has any physical problems. "Watching video (from Wednesday night), there were some 93s mixed in with some 89s. I think more than anything, it's the fluctuation of velocity and lack of consistency.
"We're still digging in on it. With Kenley, regardless of velocity, when he's executing and making quality pitches, he's as good as anyone. But when you're not executing and missing to the big part of the plate, then you're not as good, and that's something we're constantly trying to figure out."
Jansen takes pride in being a closer, but Roberts said he is "not concerned about losing Kenley mentally" if Jansen is demoted.
"All he cares about is winning a championship for the city of Los Angeles," Roberts said. "When he gets the baseball, I'm going to expect him to get outs. And he expects the same."
Kelly, who is Jansen's catch partner and locker mate, said Jansen remains upbeat and willing to contribute in any role.
"Obviously, he doesn't like underperforming, but he's a mentally tough guy," Kelly said. "It's not like he's sitting around his locker pouting ... or saying, 'I'm not gonna pitch if I don't pitch the ninth.' He's a good teammate. He's taking it like a man. Whenever we need him, he's gonna be there for us."
