Kenley Jansen's second season with the Boston Red Sox was tumultuous, and his departure from the club has continued that feeling.
The veteran closer left Fenway Park and the Red Sox before the season officially ended. Alex Cora announced Jansen's departure before Saturday's game, and Red Sox Nation hasn't taken it well.
Neither have the Red Sox in the clubhouse. Jansen's nameplate has been removed from his locker and some players, who spoke anonymously to Sean McAdam of MassLive, didn't appreciate his early exit.
"I can't say I'm too surprised," one player said. Other players said Jansen struggled to remember his teammates' names. Jansen was moved to the injured list on Sept. 23 so there was no chance he'd pitch again this season, but many of the Sox's other injured players were seen in the clubhouse Saturday, including Rafael Devers, Garrett Whitlock, David Hamilton, Brennan Bernardino, Rob Refsnyder and Lucas Giolito, who didn't pitch a single inning all season.
Multiple Red Sox players speaking on a condition of anonymity told MassLive’s Sean McAdam that they were disappointed closer Kenley Jansen packed up early and went home. Manager Alex Cora was asked about it. https://t.co/Du4tEKmi6g
— masslivesports (@masslivesports) September 29, 2024
Red Sox skipper Cora took some of the blame for Jansen's departure. He said he told Jansen to go home after he found out the Sox were out of playoff contention, and he told reporters players "should come to office and ask " if they're upset about him leaving. Cora mentioned that James Paxton is no longer with the team, and no one seems to have an issue with his absence.
Red Sox players, Alex Cora comment on Kenley Jansen's early departure from the team
But Jansen has been a staple of Boston's bullpen for two seasons. He was one of the most expensive players on the team and is possibly one of the greatest closers of all time with over 15 years of experience in MLB — he should know better than to leave his team early, even as an impending free agent.
Other comments from Cora about Jansen leaving the team alluded to potential happenings in his personal life.
"There's other stuff that's going on with Kenley too, but the manager decided for him,” Cora said.
If Jansen left without an emergency, it wasn't a great way to end his tenure with the team. It was pretty clear before, but now it is nearly certain that Jansen will not pitch in a Red Sox uniform again.