Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen undergoes heart surgery

Reliever Kenley Jansen, who landed on the disabled list in each of the last two seasons with an irregular heartbeat, underwent a surgical procedure on Tuesday to correct the problem.

Jansen is expected to be fully competitive at the start of spring training. Though Jansen will be on blood-thinning medication for the next two to three months, he will be able to throw and work out this winter without any restrictions. In fact, Jansen could probably start exercising in the next seven to 10 days.

The procedure Jansen underwent at White Memorial Hospital wasn’t an open-heart operation. The part of his heart that caused his heart to beat irregularly was identified and burned. Jansen’s heart is currently in normal rhythm, according to a statement issued by the Dodgers.

Jansen will remain at the hospital on Tuesday night and is scheduled to be discharged on Wednesday.

Jansen was first placed on the disabled list with an irregular heartbeat in late July of 2011. The problem returned again this August.

Jansen, who spent much of the 2012 season as the Dodgers’ closer, saved 25 games and posted a 2.35 earned-run average in 65 appearances.

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