Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has dropped 25 pounds since t

LOS ANGELES (AP) —he end of last season and threw his first bullpen session Thursday since a heart procedure in November.The procedure Josh Bell Jersey , known as an ablation, was Jansen’s second heart operation in six years. It came after he experienced an atrial fibrillation episode in Denver this past August.“I definitely feel great. Ready to roll,” Jansen said at the team’s FanFest on Saturday.Jansen, who had 38 saves in 42 chances last year and a career-high 3.01 ERA, said he will be ready to go by Opening Day.The big right-hander gave up seven runs in his first four games after missing time in August and then blew both of his save opportunities in the World Series.“I’m not happy at all by that year I had last year, so that’s motivation for me,” Jansen said. “Every year you can get better. Even if I have a good year this year, next year I will want to do better.”The 31-year-old dropped the weight hoping to better manage his health, and he said his doctor is confident the issues are behind him, even if he’s not completely cured. He said he is off blood thinners and has been cleared to pitch in Colorado this year.PRESENTING POLLOCKA.J. Pollock was introduced to Los Angeles fans Saturday shortly after his four-year http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-sean-rodriguez-jersey , $55 million contract with the cub became official.The former Arizona Diamondback greeted his new fans by admitting a once-serious dislike for the Dodgers. Now that he’s signed his deal — which includes a $10 million option for 2023 or a $5 million buyout — he’s excited to wear the colors that once piqued his competitive spirit.“When you play against the Dodgers, of course; these guys are good,” Pollock said Saturday, admitting his former Dodgers disdain. “I think that’s what it comes down to. I think these guys are in a place where you either love them or hate them.”Pollock was one of this era’s first swing-change success stories. After trying to lift his launch angle in 2015, he broke out with a .315 average, 20 home runs, 39 stolen bases and a Gold Glove in center field. Injuries have seriously hindered him since, though, including a fractured right elbow in 2016, a groin issue in 2017 and a broken left thumb last year.“Obviously he’s missed some time over the last few years and we dug into the question: ‘Is it predictive as you move forward?” president of baseball operations Andrew Freidman said. “Most of them have been impact-type injuries. He’s had one soft-tissue injury.“Then you get into how well a guy takes care of himself. How clean does he live Felipe Vazquez Jersey , eat, and those things that factor into payer health? As we dug into it, we felt good that he does everything he can to stay on the field.”Manager Dave Roberts is known for mixing and matching his players, often moving guys around to get the proper platoon advantage. Roberts said the right-handed hitting Pollock should be an everyday player in center, as long as he’s healthy.“I don’t think you go out and sign a guy like that to even bring in the word platoon,” Roberts said.Pollock’s 2023 salary can escalate by $5 million based on plate appearances in 2022: $1 million each for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600. His 2023 salary also could escalate up to $5 million based on MVP finishes from 2019-22, structured on a point system with each point worth $1 million: five points for first Starling Marte Jersey , three points for second through fifth, and one for sixth through 10th.If Pollock has 1,000 plate appearances in 2020 and ’21, or 1,450 from 2019-21, he would gain the right to opt out of the contract after the 2021 season and still would receive the buyout if he does.Pollock would get a $1.5 million assignment bonus each time he is traded.SEAGER ON TRACKDodgers shortstop Corey Seager can’t guarantee he’ll be ready by Opening Day but says he hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery from hip and Tommy John surgeries.“Right now, everything is on line to kind of be able to make a decision on whether I will be ready to go or not, but for the most part I feel great and everything is on time right now,” Seager said.Seager, who has been told he will continue to play shortstop http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-willie-stargell-jersey , threw from 120 feet for the first time Friday and is still progressing toward live batting practice and throwing across the infield. SEATTLE (AP) — The Oakland Athletics clinched their first playoff berth in four years Monday night, earning at least an American League wild card when the Tampa Bay Rays lost to the New York Yankees.Following three straight last-place finishes in the AL West, the A’s found out just a couple of minutes after the first pitch of their game against Seattle that they are in the postseason for the first time since 2014.Tampa Bay’s 4-1 loss to the Yankees eliminated the Rays from playoff contention. Oakland still has an outside shot at overtaking Houston for the division title, but is more likely headed toward a wild-card matchup with the Yankees.The A’s could still host that game. They beat the Mariners 7-3 to remain 1½ games behind the Yankees for the top wild card.Few people imagined the A’s could make the playoffs this season, a young team with few proven stars after finishing 75-87 a year ago. Oakland won only 68 games in 2015 and 69 in 2016.The A’s have the third-lowest payroll among the 30 major league clubs at $78 million for their 40-man roster, ahead of only the White Sox and Rays.Oakland was 34-36 and 11 games behind Seattle in the wild-card race on June 15. The A’s have gone 61-26 since then.“We’ve had some younger players mature and become, for me, stars,” manager Bob Melvin said Monday. “I think the two guys on the corners (third baseman Matt Chapman and first baseman Matt Olson) should win Gold Gloves.“Our defense is night-and-day to what it was and it’s gotten better as the year’s gone along. We’ve gone from last year being one of the worst defenses in the league to now one of the best. Our bullpen has been a strength for us all year. We don’t just rely on one facet. We seem to be able to win in different ways.”Oakland designated hitter Khris Davis leads the majors with a career-high 46 home runs and has 120 RBIs. Davis has hit at least 40 homers and driven in more than 100 runs in each of this three seasons with the Athletics.Blake Treinen is 9-2 and one of the top closers in baseball this season with 37 saves and a 0.80 ERA, the lowest of all major league relievers with at least 75 innings pitched. Opponents have a .091 batting average against him with runners in scoring position.“It’s amazing Barry Bonds Jersey ,” Melvin said. “Not only is he doing it closing games, he’s doing it in games when we’re tied and he’s pitching two innings at times. The numbers are absolutely fantastic. I don’t know that I’ve seen numbers like that from any closer in quite some time. He’s meant a lot to this team.”The A’s are the only team in the majors with an undefeated record this season when leading after seven innings (68-0). They have the best record in one-run games at 31-13.Oakland made key moves to bolster the pitching staff via trades over the summer by adding veteran relievers Jeurys Familia and Fernando Rodney and starter Mike Fiers, who is 5-1 with a 2.90 ERA since joining the Athletics.The A’s overcame losing key starters from their rotation down the stretch. That included left-hander Sean Manaea, who pitched a no-hitter on April 21 against Boston and is now done for the year recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that took place this past week.The Athletics are making their fourth playoff appearance in the last seven seasons (all under Melvin) and their 27th postseason appearance all-time. The A’s lost at Kansas City 9-8 in 12 innings in the 2014 wild-card game, the last time Oakland reached the postseason.The last time the A’s reached the World Series was 1990, losing in four games to the Cincinnati Reds. Oakland won the 1989 World Series (which took place during the Bay Area earthquake) in four straight games over the San Francisco Giants.