Roberts: Jansen to close games vs. Arizona

ARLINGTON -- Kenley Jansen was in the dugout instead of on the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday night, when Kenta Maeda had to hang on for his first save of the year and a 3-1 Dodgers win over the Rangers at Globe Life Park.
But manager Dave Roberts said Jansen is still the closer and will get the ball if the Dodgers are in position when they open a four-game showdown with Arizona Thursday night at home.
"Kenley's going to close [against Arizona]," said Roberts, admitting he was playing "a little coy" before the game when he said Jansen might pitch Wednesday night.

Jansen, meanwhile, said he's convinced a pregame bullpen session with pitching coach Rick Honeycutt ironed out a mechanical flaw that will get him to be Kenley Jansen again.
"I'm feeling good again," said Jansen, who also is off the heart medication that made him sluggish in his return from an irregular heartbeat.
With Jansen off limits, Roberts pressed Maeda into closer duties and the converted starter got the job done, but it wasn't pretty. After striking out Elvis Andrus, he walked Nomar Mazara and lost the shutout on an RBI double by former Dodger Adrián Beltré. Jurickson Profar popped out for the second out, and when the infield shifted for pinch-hitter Joey Gallo, Beltre literally pranced to an uncovered third base.
Maeda then walked Gallo on four pitches to bring up Ronald Guzmán, but Maeda got him to ground sharply to first baseman Cody Bellinger and end the game.

"Kenta hasn't closed many games. Outside of Kenley, not many guys have," said Roberts. "So, this is a crash course for a lot of guys, but it's a good thing. We're going to play a lot more stressful games this month."
Maeda hasn't spoken publicly about being sent to the bullpen for a second consecutive stretch run, although it's taken him out of the familiar starter role he signed for and is costing him incentive bonuses structured for a starting pitcher.
"The other team scored, but it's all about winning and I managed to stay tough," said Maeda. "Today I definitely felt the ninth inning was a special inning, a little bit different. There's a sense of anxiety and pressure and having to battle that is a little bit different. Kenley is the closer of this team. I just try to get the outs wherever I'm needed."