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Tigers Closer Kenley Jansen Heads to Injured List with Pelvic Inflammation

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The Detroit Tigers placed veteran closer Kenley Jansen on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to pelvic inflammation. Jansen exited Wednesday's 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning, ending his appearance prematurely. The 38-year-old has struggled this season, posting a 1-3 record with a 4.80 ERA and converting just 7 of 11 save opportunities.

Despite his recent difficulties, Jansen remains one of baseball's most accomplished relievers. On April 14, he passed Hall of Famer Lee Smith for third place on the all-time saves list and now sits at 483 career saves. Only Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601) rank ahead of him. However, Jansen has allowed three walk-off home runs since April 24, raising concerns about his effectiveness.

To fill the roster spot, Detroit recalled left-hander Drew Sommers from Triple-A Toledo. Sommers appeared in four games with the Tigers last season, posting an 0-1 record with an 18.00 ERA. The move leaves Detroit's bullpen depth severely tested during a critical stretch of the season.

Jansen's injury represents a significant blow to a Tigers team relying on veteran leadership in their bullpen. His absence forces the club to reshuffle late-inning responsibilities while potentially accelerating the development of younger arms.