Dodgers activate closer Kenley Jansen from DL; he takes loss

All-Star closer Kenley Jansen was activated off the disabled list for the Dodgers earlier than expected after being cleared by a cardiologist.

Jansen entered to pitch in the ninth inning of Monday night’s series opener against St. Louis. He gave up home runs to his first two batters, Jedd Gyorko and Matt Carpenter. Jansen took the loss in the 5-3 decision.

Jansen hadn’t pitched since Aug. 7 and was on the 10-day DL after being hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat Aug. 9 when the team was in Denver.

Jansen initially was expected to miss about a month. He previously was treated for an irregular heartbeat in 2011 and 2012.