Tigers place Kenley Jansen on IL, adding more uncertainty to back end of bullpen

DETROIT — The Tigers placed closer Kenley Jansen on the injured list with pelvic inflammation Thursday, bumping the number of players on the IL to 15 and creating more uncertainty around how the team will manage the back end of games.

The Tigers recalled left-handed reliever Drew Sommers to take Jansen’s place on the roster.

Jansen’s move to the IL comes after he left Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels with right groin tightness. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he first noticed signs of discomfort on a ninth-inning play when Jansen had to cover first base. Jansen then landed awkwardly after a pitch, causing Hinch and a trainer to visit the mound. Jansen said he felt no pain and remained in the game. He recorded an out but then walked Mike Trout on four pitches, struggling to finish his delivery. Jansen looked into the dugout after the walk, and Hinch came out to remove him from the game.

Jansen is third on MLB’s all-time saves list with 483. This season for the Tigers, he has converted seven of 11 save opportunities and has a 4.80 ERA. He previously experienced a groin issue in late April, resting for five days but avoiding an IL stint.

Although Jansen has surrendered four home runs this season and three times lost in walk-off fashion, he remains critical to the bullpen.

In his absence, Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are the likely candidates to take over ninth-inning duties. Although both pitchers have closer experience, the 22-34 Tigers can hardly afford another injury. The team ranks 16th with a 4.02 bullpen ERA.

Right-handed starter Casey Mize, who also left Wednesday’s game with a right groin injury, has yet to be placed on the injured list. He was undergoing further evaluation Thursday morning.