With the official start of spring training less than 36 hours away, the Dodgers received their first bit of bad news on Tuesday evening – very bad news. They will be without their closer Kenley Jansen anywhere from eight to twelve weeks.

Late Tuesday evening Dodgers Director of Digital and Print Content Jon Weisman reported that Jansen underwent surgery to remove a growth from a bone in his left foot after the 27-year-old Willemstad, Curaçao native noticed discomfort in his foot while running last week at Dodger Stadium. An X-Ray, MRI and CT scan revealed the growth in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot requiring surgery, which was performed by Doctors Earl Brien and David Thordarson under the direction of Dodgers Head Team Physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Jansen is known for his incredibly long stride which put tremendous pressure on his left foot.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Weisman reported that Jansen will be on crutches for about 10 days and then in a boot for 3-4 weeks but likely will not return to action for approximately 8-12 weeks. As such, the best case scenario marks a return around April 14 and a worst case scenario of around May 12.

(Image courtesy of suncoastorthopedics.com)

Jansen appeared in 68 games for the Dodgers in 2014 posting a 2-3 record with an excellent 2.76 ERA. In his 65.1 innings of work he struck out 101 while walking only 19. His WHIP was a minuscule 0.996 and his K/9 was a phenomenal 14.0. Jansen finished third in the league in saves with 44 – three behind Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel and one behinds St. Louis’s Trevor Rosenthal.

During the off-season the Dodgers revamped their bullpen acquiring relievers Chris Hatcher, Joel Peralta and Juan Nicasio while letting Brian Wilson, Chris Perez and Jamie Wright go. And although there has been no official word from the Dodgers front office as to who will assume Jansen’s role as the Dodgers closer during his absence, the most likely candidate is right-hander Brandon League, who turns 32 on March 16.

Earlier this week there were reports that the Dodgers were looking to add one more reliever to the bullpen and with the loss of Jansen less that two days before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report, this could force Dodgers President of Baseball Operation Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi to make this a top priority. As of late Tuesday evening free agent closers Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano were still unsigned. In 2010 Soriano was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays under then general manager Andrew Friedman and led the American League in saves with 45. He was also an All-Star in 2010 – his only season with the Rays.