Los Angeles Dodgers: Three things to be wary about in 2019

3. Kenley Jansen and back-end struggles

Kenley Jansen was not the same in 2018, however, he had every reason to not be 100 percent and still went out and put it all on the line for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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The beginning of the season started immensely slow for Jansen, who was battling mechanical issues and simply did not seem to be fully up to speed. That is what happens when someone who is naturally a catcher does not get the proper reps in during Spring Training.

His velocity was down and after an insane 2017, Jansen looked human. However, he battled back from the slow start and returned close to the Kenley Jansen of old. In May he had a 0.60 ERA and a 2.03 in June and July.

Jansen then suffered another incident of an irregular heartbeat when the team traveled to Denver in early August. Jansen would miss two weeks of action and the Dodgers’ bullpen, who were without their best arm, struggled mightily and cost the team several games.

Jansen eventually returned but still did not look the same. He was not necessarily dominant in the postseason, either, and looked nothing like the untouchable Jansen of 2017.

He was still a good closer, though and that should be remembered. Jansen underwent successful surgery earlier in the offseason and is expected to be back to full strength in 2019. Even if he isn’t, his health is most important and as a fan, I would never want him risking his long-term health to pitch.

Either way, there are reasons to be wary. Closers typically have a very small prime and it is more than conceivable that Jansen is reaching his. There are select closers in MLB history that stay dominant for so long and the Dodgers need to have a plan if Jansen continues to struggle in 2019.

It definitely is not time to panic, as Jansen could come out firing on all cylinders. However, don’t be surprised if Jansen and the rest of the backend of the bullpen struggle to find an identity.