If it wasn’t obvious back in December, around the time the Dodgers backed away from a potential trade for Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen is the best relief pitcher in Los Angeles.
Dave Roberts called upon Jansen to record the first five-out save of his career Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, then a more traditional three-out save the next night. Jansen got the final three outs Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, giving him three saves in a span of five days.
It’s notable, though hardly unexpected, that Jansen is 5 for 5 in save situations in the early going.
More notable is the timing. The Dodgers are getting peak Jansen while many of their middle relievers have struggled, and Jansen is peaking in his final season before free agency.
Publicly, the 28-year-old right-hander prides himself on being the leader of the bullpen. Other than Jansen, the unit has combined to post a 4.80 ERA in 30 innings.
Jansen has spoken up in the past, but teammates and coaches say he’s leading by example this season.
“I just know how well he prepares,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I talk to Kenley as I do all players every day, getting his pulse and letting him know my thoughts about potential four-out saves … He’s been very consistent as far as his preparedness and willingness to do whatever I ask him.”
As for free agency, Jansen insists he isn’t thinking about what might be. He doesn’t want to be distracted by contract negotiations, whenever they arise, and will leave that task to his agent, Adam Katz of Wasserman Sports.
“If I’m not meant to be here, I’m still having fun playing the game I love,” Jansen said. “It’s a second chance. That’s my attitude. I’m just going to have fun.”
A second chance?
“The first chance was as a catcher,” he said.
Multisport connection
Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson played with San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija last year with the Chicago White Sox. When they chatted in the outfield shagging fly balls before games, the two bonded over something unusual.
“He went through the same stuff with me, with the media always wanting to talk to him about football,” Thompson said. “Me, it was basketball. He went through the same stuff.”
Samardzija was a star wide receiver for the University of Notre Dame, but opted to play professional baseball instead.
Thompson’s father, Mychal, played 12 season in the NBA; his brother Klay is in his fifth season with the Golden State Warriors.
“Really, I don’t mind” answering basketball questions, Trayce Thompson said. “I understand the dynamic with me and my family.”
With Samardzija, Thompson said, “we would talk about baseball.”
Also
While the Dodgers travel to Atlanta, Carl Crawford is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Crawford is scheduled to rejoin the Dodgers in Denver on Sunday, the earliest he can be activated from the 15-day disabled list. … Steve Decker replaced Roberto Kelly as the Giants’ third base coach before the seventh inning. Kelly left after he was hit in the head with a baseball in the Giants’ dugout. … The scheduled pitching matchups for the three-game series against the Braves: Alex Wood will oppose the Braves’ Julio Teheran on Tuesday; Ross Stripling will oppose Williams Perez on Wednesday; Clayton Kershaw will oppose Matt Wisler on Thursday.
