Kenley Jansen: Everything you need to know

Jansen (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Friday as the Tigers fell 9-8 to the Reds, giving up two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one. The two teams took turns putting runs on the board in every inning except the first, and jansen couldn't break that pattern in the ninth while trying to protect an 8-7 lead, allowing a two-out single to Spencer Steer before Nathaniel Lowe belted a walk-off homer. It was jansen's second blown save of the year, but those are the only two times he's been scored upon in nine appearances so far in 2026. On the season, the veteran closer sports a 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 7.1 innings with six saves.

Jansen worked around a hit and two walks to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and secure the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Brewers. He struck out one. Jansen was probably lucky to have a three-run lead, as he got some traffic on the bases in the ninth inning, but he ultimately shut things down for his sixth save of the year in seven chances. The veteran reliever has a sparkling 1.35 ERA and has struck out eight batters across 6.2 innings so far. Even at the age of 38, Jansen continues to look like an effective MLB closer, and the Tigers seem comfortable with him in that role moving forward.

Jansen earned the save in the Tigers' 4-1 win over the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. Jansen gave up a single to Willson Contreras but needed just nine pitches to record the next three outs, earning the save against the team he suited up for in 2023 and 2024. Jansen has converted five of six save opportunities this season (including four straight) and has a 1.59 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 5.2 innings.