Kenley Jansen signs one-year, $16-million contract with the Atlanta Braves

For the primary time since 2013, somebody not named Kenley Jansen would be the Dodgers’ nearer on opening day.

Jansen and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract value $16 million, the team announced Friday, formally ending his time with the Dodgers after 12 seasons.

Jansen loved a bounce-back season final yr. The best-hander posted a 2.22 earned-run common with 38 saves in 69 appearances following — a minimum of by his expectations — three subpar seasons. Jansen rebounded by countering his velocity drop with a extra numerous pitch combine.

However the Dodgers weren’t prepared to pay a premium for a 34-year-old reliever, even for one as vital to the Dodgers during the last decade as Jansen.

On the peak of his powers — he was one of the best reliever within the majors in 2016 and 2017 — Jansen nearly solely threw a cutter. Final season he used his slider and sinker greater than ever. Recouping among the misplaced velocity helped.

The Dodgers signed Jansen out of Curaçao in 2004 as a catcher. He reached the majors as a reliever in 2010 and have become nearer in 2012. Ten years later, he’s the franchise’s chief in saves with 350.