Red Sox agree to two-year contract with right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today signed right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen to a two-year contract through the 2024 season. To make room for Jansen on the 40-man roster, Boston designated infielder/outfielder Hoy Park for assignment.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Jansen, 35, has recorded at least 30 saves in each of his last eight 162-game seasons (2014-19, ’21-22), including 40 or more in 2014 (44), 2016 (47), 2017 (41), and 2022 (41). Since the start of 2014, he leads the majors with 329 saves, 74 more than any other pitcher. A three-time All-Star (2016-18) and 2020 World Series champion, Jansen earned Major League Baseball’s Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s top relief pitcher in 2016 and 2017. He ranks eighth all time in saves, having converted 391 of 443 career opportunities (88.3%).

Jansen’s 41 saves in 2022 led the National League, as he joined Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase (42) as the only pitchers to save 40 or more games. In 65 appearances last season, Jansen went 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA (24 ER/64.0 IP), 1.05 WHIP, .192 opponent batting average, 85 strikeouts, and 22 walks. In his final 11 outings of the regular season, he was 8-for-8 in save opportunities while posting a 0.82 ERA (1 ER/11.0 IP).

In 766 career Major League games with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010-21) and Atlanta Braves (2022), Jansen is 42-28 with 391 saves, a 2.46 ERA (210 ER/769.0 IP), a 0.94 WHIP, and a .179 opponent batting average. Among pitchers with at least 500.0 innings thrown since the start of 2010, he owns the majors’ lowest WHIP and leads relief pitchers in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.90). Jansen has pitched in at least 50 games in each of the last 11 full seasons, making 60 or more appearances in nine of those.

Jansen has pitched in each of the last 10 Postseasons (2013-22), recording a 2.20 ERA (16 ER/65.1 IP) with 94 strikeouts, 18 walks, a 0.80 WHIP, and a .148 opponent batting average. In Major League history, his 59 appearances and 20 saves both rank second all time behind only Mariano Rivera (96 games, 42 saves). In addition, Jansen’s 0.80 Postseason WHIP ranks second behind Rivera (0.76) among pitchers with at least 50.0 innings thrown.

Nominated for the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award, Jansen founded the Kenley Jansen Foundation, whose mission is to impact the lives of families who have seriously ill and chronically ill children, by providing them with daily support through life-improving resources and life-changing experiences.

Born in Curaçao, Jansen pitched for Team Netherlands in the 2009, 2013, and 2017 World Baseball Classics.

Park, 26, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 23, 2022. He played in 23 games for the Pirates in 2022 and hit .216 (11-for-51) with two home runs.

BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Pitchers (23): Matt Barnes, Brayan Bello, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Franklin German, Darwinzon Hernandez, Tanner Houck, Kenley Jansen, Zack Kelly, Chris Martin, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy, Kaleb Ort, James Paxton, Nick Pivetta, Joely Rodríguez, Chris Sale, John Schreiber, Connor Seabold, Josh Taylor, Brandon Walter, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski

Catchers (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong

Infielders (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Jeter Downs, David Hamilton, Eric Hosmer, Trevor Story

Outfielders (4): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Verdugo

Infielder/Outfielders (4): Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez