Jansen (lat) said Wednesday that he's targeting the Red Sox's March 15 game against the Twins for his Grapefruit League debut, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen came into camp battling right lat soreness but recently progressed to facing hitters and is a little over a week away from a game appearance. He'll have less than two weeks to prep for Opening Day, but that's not expected to be a problem. Jansen will open the season as Boston's closer.

Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's possible the session is postponed due to rainy conditions in Florida, but if not, it will be the first time Jansen has faced hitters this spring as he works his way back from right lat soreness. The 36-year-old closer shouldn't require too many Grapefruit League appearances to prep for Opening Day, so he has plenty of time to get ready as long as he avoids setbacks.

Jansen (lat) did some flat-ground throwing Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen is a tad behind schedule after coming into came with a bit of general right lat soreness. However, that he's already progressed to flat-ground work is a good sign. Assuming he's healthy and not traded, Jansen is slated to open the 2024 campaign as Boston's closer.

Jansen reported to spring training Wednesday but won't immediately start a throwing program due to general lat soreness, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Everything initially appeared to be in order after the veteran closer's individual workout Wednesday morning, but Boston GM Craig Breslow then announced the lat injury. It's believed to be a mild issue, but coming into spring training with a new injury is always a concerning development. Jansen said he hopes to being throwing in about a week, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald.

Jansen performed an individual workout at spring training Wednesday and doesn't appear to have any physical limitations heading into the regular season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen didn't pitch after Sept. 12 last season following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list, but he had a normal offseason and is preparing to return to his familiar role as the Red Sox's closer. However, with Jansen in the final year of his contract and with the Red Sox not profiling as a major contender in the American League coming off an 84-loss season, Boston is reportedly listening to trade offers for the 36-year-old reliever, per Christopher Smith and Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican. Jansen is no longer one of the game's elite closers, but he was still serviceable enough when healthy in 2023, logging a 3.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB in 44.2 innings while converting 29 of 33 save chances.

Manager Alex Cora announced Friday that Jansen will not pitch again this season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen was activated off the COVID-19 injured list last weekend, but he hasn't made an appearance since Sept. 12 and the Red Sox don't have a reason to push him out there in their final two regular-season games. The veteran closer is due a $16 million salary from Boston in 2024.

The Red Sox reinstated Jansen from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 13 and will now return to Boston's bullpen after a 10-day absence, sending Zack Weiss back to Triple-A Worcester. The 35-year-old closer has allowed five runs in three innings across his last five appearances, and he hasn't recorded a save since Aug. 20.

Jansen (illness) has yet to be cleared and now might not return from the COVID-19 injured list until next week, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported over the weekend that Jansen was expected back when first eligible Wednesday, but that's not happening now. Once the reliever is cleared, he will need to throw a bullpen session before he's ready to rejoin the Red Sox' bullpen. Boston's lone save to be recorded since Jansen went down was notched by Chris Martin, and Martin should continue to be at the top of the closer pecking order until Jansen is back.

Jansen (illness) is expected to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen tested positive for COVID-19 following his removal from the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, but he resumed throwing this weekend and should be cleared to rejoin the Red Sox for the final game of their upcoming three-game set at Texas. John Schreiber blew a save in Jansen's absence Saturday at Toronto.

Jansen was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday after testing positive for the virus, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander was pulled from Tuesday's appearance due to fatigue and illness symptoms, and he's now tested positive for COVID-19. Jansen will have to remain on the COVID IL for at least seven days, which leaves Chris Martin and John Schreiber as the likely candidates to split closing duties for the next week.