Kenley Jansen working with Orel Hershiser on pitch grips
After a down 2019 campaign, Kenley Jansen is getting some tips from one of his team’s all-time greats.
The Los Angeles Dodgers closer told reporters Friday that he did some extra work with retired former Cy Young winner Orel Hershiser on his slider grip. Also included in the session were ex-Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt and Joel Peralta, another former Dodger, per Bill Plunkett of the OC Register.
The 32-year-old Jansen was not especially sharp last season, posting a 3.71 ERA with eight blown saves in 41 opportunities. The criticism that he faced throughout the year also seemed to take a bit of a toll on him.
Hershiser, meanwhile, was known for the potency of his offspeed pitches as a player, so there is hardly anyone better to help Jansen work past his issues.