PHOENIX -- Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers' $80 million closer, left the club on Saturday to join Team Netherlands for the World Baseball Classic semifinals at Dodger Stadium.
Jansen -- who has an 8.10 ERA in four rocky Cactus League appearances -- said he hopes the intensity of play raises his game.
:: 2017 World Baseball Classic ::
"I'm excited. Maybe this will get me going," said Jansen. "Get that adrenaline, get to my loving fans in LA. I might bring one of my LA shirts. This might be even better for me, get that adrenaline going pitching for your country. Sometimes that's missing here. You know, Spring Training. Not making an excuse, but this might help me."
Jansen said he was headed to the airport to catch the Team Netherlands charter for Los Angeles, with a workout scheduled at Dodger Stadium for Sunday.
He was coming off a Friday night outing when acting manager Bob Geren removed him after two-thirds of an inning and 23 pitches. As Geren walked to the mound, Jansen held up one finger, asking to face one more hitter. Geren kept walking and Jansen initially hesitated before giving up the ball.
"I just need to work on my timing," said Jansen, explaining that his arm has been trailing his body in his delivery and he felt like he was close to solving the problem when he was removed.