Late-Career Closers and Early Returns: A Familiar Tigers Pattern
Veteran closer Kenley Jansen's early struggles echo past Tigers acquisitions, raising questions about command and damage control.
Kenley Jansen The Detroit Tigers have been here before. Kenley Jansen’s first month in Detroit — three blown saves and an ERA above six — has brought early volatility to the back end of the bullpen. But within the organization’s recent history, that type of start is not unusual when it comes to veteran closers signed late in their careers.
Joe Nathan and Francisco Rodríguez followed similar paths when they arrived in Detroit. Nathan, signed ahead of the 2014 season at age 39, converted 35 of 42 save opportunities — an 83. 3 percent save rate — but finished with a 4.
81 ERA and seven blown saves, the highest total of his career. Rodríguez’s 2016 season produced 44 saves with a 3. 24 ERA, but with similar inconsistency in run prevention compared to his peak seasons.
In both cases, the Tigers received production in the form of saves, but not the same level of efficiency. Jansen entered his Tigers tenure with a stronger recent baseline. In 2025, he posted a 2.
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