Jansen hits 479th save

Kenley Jansen moved into sole possession of third place on Major League Baseball’s career saves list Tuesday night with save No. 479. (mlb.com) Jansen got the final three outs in Detroit’s 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on April 14 at Comerica Park. The 38-year-old right-hander passed Hall of Famer Lee Smith, whom he had tied at 478 saves on April 10. (mlb.com) The all-time list now starts with Mariano Rivera at 652 saves, Trevor Hoffman at 601, and Jansen at 479. Baseball-Reference listed Jansen and Smith tied at 478 before Tuesday’s game. (baseball-reference.com) A save is credited to a relief pitcher who finishes a win under specific late-game conditions, usually by protecting a lead of three runs or fewer. Jansen has spent most of his 16-year career in that role, which is why one ninth inning can move him up a historical leaderboard. (mlb.com) Jansen is also the active leader in saves, and the gap between him and the next active pitcher is substantial. Baseball-Reference showed Craig Kimbrel next among active pitchers at 440 entering Tuesday. (baseball-reference.com) Detroit signed Jansen in December 2025 to a one-year deal as part of a bullpen overhaul under manager A.J. Hinch. Major League Baseball reported the contract at $9 million for 2026 with a club option for 2027 worth $12 million and a $2 million buyout. (mlb.com) His path to this list was unusual from the start. Jansen entered pro baseball as a catcher before converting to pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers system, a change teammates referenced when they celebrated the milestone in the clubhouse Tuesday. (mlb.com) He has now recorded saves for the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Tigers. Baseball-Reference lists him with more than 15 years of major league service and a contract running through 2026, with free agency possible after the season. (baseball-reference.com) Jansen said after tying Smith on April 10 that the milestone told him he was “still consistent out there” while helping his team win. Four days later, that consistency put him alone behind only Rivera and Hoffman. (mlb.com)