Alex Cora Addresses Report About Kenley Jansen Leaving Red Sox

There was a notable absence in the Red Sox clubhouse when Boston played its final series of the 2024 season.

Kenley Jansen was not with the Red Sox for their weekend set against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Jansen spoke with Alex Cora before the series began, and the Boston manager told the veteran closer he could head home for the offseason early if he felt so inclined.

A follow-up report from MassLive claimed some Red Sox players were disappointed by Jansen’s early exit, although not surprised. Cora addressed that report Sunday before Boston’s season finale.

“I told Kenley to go home,” Cora told reporters, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “So if they’re upset, they should come to my office and ask me. We talked during the week. There’s other stuff that is going on with Kenley, too. But the manager decided for him, ‘Hey, we’re out of it. So if you want to go home, you go home. And he went home.'”

It remains to be seen if Jansen will ever pitch in another game for the Red Sox. The 37-year-old, who spent the last two years in Boston, is headed for MLB free agency this winter.