The Detroit Tigers have officially signed veteran reliever Kenley Jansen to a one-year deal for the 2026 season, with a club option for 2027. This marks the second consecutive offseason that the Tigers expressed interest in Jansen, and this time the seasoned 38-year-old right-hander has made the move to Detroit. The agreement is contingent upon completing a physical, as confirmed by a source familiar with the transaction.
Jansen, who is on the cusp of a significant milestone, requires just 24 saves to reach 500 in his illustrious 16-year Major League Baseball career. Only two Hall of Famers, Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, have achieved more than 600 saves, setting a high bar within the league.
In the 2025 season, Jansen showcased his skills as a four-time All-Star closer while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. He achieved a 2.59 ERA, complemented by 19 walks and an impressive 57 strikeouts over the course of 59 innings and 62 appearances, securing 29 saves out of 30 opportunities. Although his 24.4% strikeout rate marked the lowest of his career, he still managed to maintain an average walk rate of 8.1%. His signature pitch, a cutter, averaged 92.8 mph, allowed opponents to hit just .164 against him, and produced a notable 25.2% whiff rate.
As Jansen steps into the Tigers’ bullpen, he joins a cadre of high-leverage relievers that includes right-handers Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest, along with left-hander Tyler Holton. All three relievers demonstrated their capabilities in 2025, each collecting at least 20 saves. Jansen’s wealth of experience will be instrumental for the Tigers, who have not designated a clear closer since Gregory Soto’s tenure.
Jansen’s journey began when he was signed as an international free agent by the Dodgers from Curaçao in 2004. Originally a switch-hitting catcher, he transitioned to pitching in 2009 and made his MLB debut in July 2010. Prior to joining the Tigers, Jansen has played for several teams, including the Dodgers, Braves, Red Sox, and Angels, solidifying his reputation as one of the game’s top closers.
As the Tigers gear up for the 2026 season, fans hope Jansen’s addition to the bullpen will bring stability and boost the team’s performance. His impressive track record of registering at least 25 saves in 13 of the past 14 seasons is a testament to his abilities and dedication to the game.