Kenley Jansen went one inning in his first rehab game

Kenley Jansen is on the way back towards the Major Leagues. Last Friday he started the game for the Dodgers’ A Advanced affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Jansen pitched only one inning. He started the game with giving up a single to the Inland Empire’s Bo Way, who hit the ball towards center field. Way promptly stole second base with Caleb Cowart at bat. Cowart struck out swinging before Eric Aguilera lined into an 8-4 double play as Bo Way was doubled off second base.

Jansen stated in an interview that he is without pain and that he was surpised that his velocity was there already. Hardball Talk stated that Jansen already hit 96 MPH during training sessions. He will stay two more weeks in Rancho Cucamonga (which is only a 50 minutes drive from Dodger Stadium) to pitch more innings. The plan is the throw two or three one inning games and then extend them with a third of an inning every time. According to the reporters who interviewed Jansen, Dodgers’ manager Don Mattingly is not planning to use Jansen as a closer right away.

Jansen during his first rehab game in Rancho Cucamonga (fan photo from Twitter)