Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Kenley Jansen has been in the majors for so long that he has gone through several changes throughout his sport, including the grip on the baseball he throws with.
Jansen teed off Sunday with a smooth ball after his team’s 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels in the series finale. He gave up one run on one hit and struck out two batters. He threw 14 of his 25 pitches for strikes.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Boston Red Sox No. 74 Kenley Jansen reacts during the bottom of the ninth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 11, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston. (Billy Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
“We’ve got to be better, but if you’re playing in windy, cold weather and you get a pearl ball that doesn’t rub well, you don’t know where the ball is going to go,” he said.
Jansen made his 424th career save. He said he will take his time to find good balls and throw back those he deems unacceptable.
He even went so far as to say that baseballs used in bullpen sessions are better than those used on the field.
Angels’ Nolan Chanuel misses series finale against Red Sox due to testicular contusion
Boston Red Sox No. 12 Connor Wong and Boston Red Sox No. 74 Kenley Jansen leave the field after their victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park in Boston on April 14, 2024. (Madi Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
“It’s embarrassing. It’s been a while since I played in this league, but from the beginning of my career to now, things have gotten worse,” Jansen said.
“That’s been an issue all year,” he said. “I’ve talked to a lot of my teammates and they feel the same way. The first pitch, it’s out of my hand, I don’t know where it’s going. The second pitch was the same. Then I tried to throw it. The ball is in the middle, so just stand back. It’s hard to adjust, and time is ticking. ”
Jansen is a four-time All-Star and won the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
Kenley Jansen of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels during a baseball game Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He is in his second season with the Red Sox. He played in 51 games in 2023 and posted a 3.63 ERA.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
