MLB Rumors: Kenley Jansen Leaving Red Sox Before End of Season Disappointed Players

Kenley Jansen's decision to go home to California after he was placed on the injured list Monday, which ended his season, was not a decision his Boston Red Sox teammates particularly appreciated.

According to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com, "Multiple players, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity, registered their disappointment over Jansen's early departure, though one added: 'I can't say I'm too surprised.' Jansen was known to be somewhat aloof during his time with the Sox, at times unsure of some teammates' names."

Per that report, Jansen told teammates last Sunday that he would be making his final appearance for the team in the first game of a split doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. He indeed made a relief appearance in the top of the ninth, then told reporters he was done for the year, and manager Alex Cora confirmed following the second game of the doubleheader that Jansen had been dealing with a sore shoulder and would be shelved for the final week.

On Monday, the team placed him on the 15-day injured list.

So Jansen didn't travel with the team for its series against the Toronto Blue Jays during the week, which was to be expected. But the surprise came when he returned home to California rather than staying in Boston for the final series of the season, with the Red Sox hosting the Tampa Bay Rays.

Meanwhile, other Red Sox players on the IL—including Rafael Devers, Lucas Giolito, Rob Refsnyder, Brennan Bernardino, Garrett Whitlock and David Hamilton—were still with the team for the final series of the season. Jansen's absence "did not sit well in the clubhouse," per McAdam.

"I talked to him this week," Cora told reporters regarding Jansen's decision to return to California. "As soon as it was over, two days ago, he wasn't going to pitch. There's other stuff we talked about, other stuff that's going on with him, so yeah."

The "it was over" Cora mentioned seemingly was in reference to Boston's playoff hopes, which were officially extinguished on Wednesday.

As for Jansen, the 36-year-old finished the 2024 season with a 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 54.2 innings, notching 27 saves in 31 opportunities and 54 overall appearances. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this winter, and if he continues his playing career, it's a safe bet that it won't be in Boston.