Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers -- and for that matter, fans of record-breaking strikeout pitchers -- can breathe easy, at least for now, after Kenley Jansen was cleared to resume his usual spring-training activities. From the Dodgers’ official site:
Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen Cleared After Brief Scare
Jansen received medical clearance to resume all baseball activity Friday after suffering a recurrence of heart palpitations Thursday night. Jansen was seen by Dr. John Monroe Friday morning and rejoined the club during workouts to play catch.
--snip--
Jansen, who set an MLB record last year for strikeouts per nine innings, was hospitalized last July with an irregular heartbeat and had to be disabled for three weeks because he was prescribed a blood thinner and couldn’t participate in competitive activity.
The Dodgers said Jansen experienced similar “flutters” Thursday night and shortness of breath. He reported to Camelback Ranch-Glendale Friday morning and was taken to the local internist.
--snip--
At that time, Jansen underwent a cardio conversion to get rhythm back to his heartbeat by shocking it with electrodes.
Last year, Jansen struck out 96 batters in 53-2/3 innings; that works out to 16.1 strikeouts per nine inning, the all-time record for a pitcher with at least 50 innings. Jansen is slated for set-up duties again this season, but he’s obviously got closer written all over him, if he can just stay healthy.
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