Dodgers' Jansen set to return from irregular heartbeat

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was cleared to resume pitching Monday after missing nearly two weeks due to an irregular heartbeat.

After meeting with a cardiologist on Monday, Jansen told reporters that he was off blood thinners, according to ESPN. The right-hander added, "I'm ready to go. ... I don't need to be babied."

The Los Angeles Times reported that Jansen would be activated from the disabled list ahead of the team's Monday night home game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In Jansen's absence, the Dodgers' bullpen was abysmal, blowing leads in seven consecutive games during one stretch and losing five of those contests.

Los Angeles was tied for first place in the National League West when Jansen began experiencing heartbeat problems in Denver on Aug. 9. They opened play Monday in third place, two games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and 1 1/2 games back of the Colorado Rockies.

Jansen, 30, said last week that he might need a second heart surgery in the offseason to address atrial fibrillation. He underwent a catheter ablation in 2012 to deal with the issue.

Jansen led the National League with 32 saves at the time he went on the disabled list, having blown just three leads. He has a 0-3 record with a 2.15 ERA in 51 appearances this year. He also topped the NL with 41 saves last year and finished with a 1.32 ERA, winding up fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting.

Last month, Jansen made his third consecutive All-Star team. In 525 games over nine major league seasons, all with the Dodgers, Jansen is 262-for-291 in save opportunities with a 24-16 record and a 2.08 ERA.

Right-hander Kenta Maeda and left-hander Scott Alexander shared the closer role in Jansen's absence.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)