Did Tigers just signal that Kenley Jansen lost the closer job in loss to Guardians?

Bolstering the pitching staff was the priority for the Detroit Tigers during the offseason, and that included the Tigers circling Kenley Jansen as an upgrade for their bullpen. Even with the return of Kyle Finnegan, the idea was that Jansen would be the anchor at the backend of the bullpen.

It hasn't exactly worked out that way, considering the Future Hall of Famer has three blown saves through the first two months of the season. While the Tigers have larger problems than Jansen's struggles as the team's closer, A.J. Hinch may have hinted at a potential change during Wednesday's loss to the Cleveland Guardians.

Holding onto a one-run lead in the eighth inning, Hinch brought in Jansen as opposed to making sure he was available for a save situation in the ninth inning. Jansen walked a hitter but he got through the inning unscathed, and rather than go back out for a second inning, Hinch turned to Will Vest for the save opportunity. A decision that backfired with Vest blowing his second save on the season, giving up the tying run while also allowing two hits.

No, the Tigers may not be making a change at closer and that is okay

Given the turn of events, it would be fair to wonder if Hinch was toying with the idea of shifting parts in the bullpen. Earlier this season, it would have made sense, but considering how Jansen has looked since the start of May, the timing of the potential switch doesn't add up. Including Wednesday's outing, Jansen has six scoreless appearances while striking out 10 of the 19 hitters he's faced this month.

Instead, it's important to understand the context of the situation the Tigers were in. The top of the Guardians' lineup was up in the eighth inning, and at the time, those were the most important outs standing in the way of a Tigers' victory. That could be the reason why Hinch turned to Jansen then, instead of holding him for the middle of Cleveland's order in the ninth inning.

It's a modern approach to bullpen management. Instead of closers being saved for the ninth inning, there's been more instances of managers turning their high-leverage options when it matters the most. For Hinch, that was the eighth inning and the first part was executed brilliantly with the 38-year-old preserving the lead. Unfortunately, things came undone for Vest in the ninth inning, leading to the Tigers' loss in extra innings.

For now, it would seem that Jansen is still the Tigers' closer.

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