Though Kenley Jansen ultimately got the job done in Sunday’s 5-4 win over the Angels, it’s undeniable he hasn’t been as steady as usual early in the season. The veteran has issued eight walks and hit a batter over 5.2 innings, and though his ERA is still a strong 1.54, he’s had to fight out of too many jams for comfort at this stage in the season.

Asked about his command issues following the game, Jansen took accountability for his performance but also unloaded on what he sees as a big part of the problem — the quality of the game ball.

“Zero excuses at this point. I’ve got to get better, but also, if you’re playing in cold weather and it’s windy, and you’re getting balls out there that aren’t rubbed well, I don’t know where the ball is going,” Jansen said. “I don’t hit guys, I don’t walk — I don’t walk people this much. I started getting frustrated and (upset) enough that at a point I didn’t care no more and any balls that came I threw back until I found a good ball. It’s just brutal.

“For me, yes, I have to get better, I’ll always to be accountable to myself, I’m going to get better, but if you have zero help and your bullpen balls are better rubbed than the game balls, it’s embarrassing,” he continued. “I’ve been playing in this league for a while and from the beginning of my career to now it’s getting worse.”

The perceived slickness of the ball has become a point of contention among pitchers over the past few seasons, especially in 2022 when the league introduced a new game ball and cracked down on the use of sticky substances. Jansen said this season’s balls have been an issue all year, both at home on the road, and between the smooth baseball and the pitch clock it’s been difficult to grip the ball and effectively locate his pitches.

Jansen said his solution to the problem has been to keep throwing balls back until he gets one he likes, but he doesn’t want to have to be ‘that guy’ and hopes the league will address the issue.

“I get it, we try to favor hitters now more to create offense, we all get it,” Jansen said. “At least give us some good balls, some quality balls to throw strikes, that’s all I’m asking.”