Dodgers activate Kenley Jansen from DL

Kenley Jansen expected to be activated from the disabled list Saturday.

Amid the recent struggles of his fellow relievers in Los Angeles, though, the Dodgers opted to reinstate the 27-year-old prior to Friday's contest against the Colorado Rockies.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Dodgers' bullpen thrived throughout the first month of the season, leading the majors in wins above replacement and strikeout rate through April. Jansen's return, however, will provide some much-needed assistance to a relief corps that has blown two-run leads in each of the last two nights and owns a 4.11 ERA over the last week.

"Two days in a row we had a lead we don't protect," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said after Thursday's 5-4 loss, in which Yimi Garcia blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning. "I can't say I'm excited, but I'm glad he's healthy and coming back. It seems the timing is right to have that guy back. He's one of the top closers in the game."

Jansen opened the season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery in February to remove a growth from a bone in his left foot. Though he fashioned a 5.06 ERA over six rehab appearances, Jansen also managed eight strikeouts while allowing only one walk in 5 1/3 innings for High-A Rancho Cucamonga.