Kenley Jansen: Dodgers RHP Will Reportedly Return Tuesday

Despite everything seemingly going wrong for the National League wild-card contenders, the Los Angeles Dodgers got some much-needed great news on Friday.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 4:05 p.m. ET

Updating his previous report, the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez has confirmed that that closer Kenley Jansen has been cleared for a return to the mound.

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Kenley Jansen confirmed he has been cleared to pitch today.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) September 18, 2012"

With the Dodgers still in the wild-card hunt, just one game behind the St. Louis Cardinals, this news could not come at a better time for the team.

Look for Los Angeles' bullpen to return to a sense of normalcy with Jansen's return.

---End of Update---

Closer Kenley Jansen, who is currently out of action due a heart condition, is off blood thinners and will return to the team on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez.

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Kenley Jansen off blood thinners, will return Tuesday.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) September 14, 2012"

 

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This news couldn't come at a better time for the Dodgers, who are losers of four straight games, and now sit two games out of the last National League Wild Card spot heading into Friday night's home tilt with the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Jansen had been out since late August, and this was the second time in his career he has missed time due to the condition. The flamethrower first noticed an irregular heartbeat midway through last season and missed a month of action to regulate the condition. 

In just his second season in the majors, Jansen has flourished since taking over the closer role from Javy Guerra full-time in May. Though he has struggled with command this year, the 24-year-old has racked up 25 saves in 31 chances and has an astounding 86 strikeouts in 56.2 innings.

The team mostly used midseason acquisition Brandon League in Jansen's absence, though Ronald Belisario also got recorded a save.

For the Dodgers, this will allow manager Don Mattingly to give his bullpen a sense of normalcy. League will likely return to an eighth-inning role as Jansen takes back over the closer duties.

With the scary situation under control, this will hopefully be the last time this condition pops up for Jansen.

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