GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, scratched from a scheduled relief appearance on Friday, reported improvement in his left hamstring and said he plans to pitch in a "B" game on Monday.
Jansen has not yet pitched in a Cactus League game this spring, being "slow-played" by manager Dave Roberts after a grueling 2017 season. He was loosening up for a 2018 debut on Friday against the Royals when he felt the upper hamstring discomfort.
"I really wanted to pitch yesterday, but it's Spring Training," Jansen said. "They tell us when you feel something, say something. I said something.
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"When I was sprinting from left field to center field, it grabbed me a little bit and I stopped running, and I know something was wrong. My last sprint. I went to the mound to see if I would feel it, and I felt it. There's no reason for me to throw that day after I felt a little bit. It's Spring Training, I backed off."
Teammates have been teasing Jansen about his reduced workload this spring. He has pitched in only one "B" game. Jansen said he skipped running on Saturday, instead walking on the treadmill for 45 minutes.
"I'm doing all the exercises they want me to do, and my leg feels great," Jansen said. "I feel good and I'll be ready Monday. It's a bummer, but it's Spring Training."
Jansen said he has no doubt he will be ready for Opening Day.
"It won't bother me," he said. "My arm feels great. I'll be ready to go."