Tigers place closer Kenley Jansen on 15-day IL

Field Level Media|published: Thu 28th May, 13:43 2026

Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) talks to manager A.J. Hinch (14), left, and assistant athletic trainer Chris McDonald during the ninth inning against Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

The Detroit Tigers placed four-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen on the 15-day injured list Thursday with pelvic inflammation.

Jansen, who worked through a right groin issue earlier in the season, exited Detroit's 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday after nine pitches in the ninth inning. The right-hander called for the trainers after walking Mike Trout on four pitches.

Jansen, 38, is 1-3 with seven saves and a 4.80 ERA in 18 relief appearances since signing a one-year, $11 million contract with the Tigers in December.

He ranks third in major league history with 483 career saves.

Jansen spent his first 12 seasons (2010-21) with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is 55-43 with a 2.61 ERA in 951 relief appearances. He also pitched for the Atlanta Braves (2022), Boston Red Sox (2023-24) and Angels (2025).

Left-hander Drew Sommers was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move.

"In the short-term, a bullpen move is the most obvious because of the availability of the 'pen," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "We're trying to have as full a team as we can."

Sommers, 25, is 1-0 with one save and a 3.00 ERA in 17 relief appearances this season with the Mud Hens.

--Field Level Media

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