Jay Jackson Is An MLBbro Pitcher That Could Provide Bullpen Help Down The Stretch For Toronto Blue Jays

When you get an opportunity that you can’t pass up on, you have to make the most of it. And that is what Jay Jackson is doing. For those who don’t know, Jackson was recently called up by the Toronto Blue Jays and made his 2023 debut on May 6 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

 

He threw one inning, walking one batter and did not allow a run.

 

 

The 35-year-old has spent time in the big leagues before and now he’s looking to make an impact for Toronto and become an everyday pitcher out of the bullpen. Toronto has needed some help in the bullpen and Jackson is someone who has MLB experience and can add some much-needed help.

 

When he found out he would be joining the Blue Jays, Jackson was excited to get back to the big leagues.

 

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Jackson told reporters Friday in an article from www.si.com. “So it’s just an amazing feeling.”

 

A big reason why Jackson was called up by Toronto was because of his impressive performance during Spring Training.

 

 

Jackson is looking for a permanent home.  

 

“Slider execution, striking guys out — he was really good,” manager John Schneider said of Jackson’s spring performance.

 

Before being called up, Jackson spent time with Toronto’s triple-A affiliate team in Buffalo. He appeared in nine games and had an 0-1 record with a 5.91 ERA with 15 strikeouts. Even though Jackson did not make the Opening Day roster, he continued to have respect for the organization and knew the decision wasn’t anything personal.

 

“The amount of love and respect and honesty [the Blue Jays] showed me, I wanted to be here just as much as they wanted me here,” he said.

 

Making a major league team can be an impossible task for some. There are players who have been in the minor leagues their whole career and are still waiting for that opportunity. So, for Jackson, he understands how difficult it is to make it on an MLB team. This is the MLBbro journeyman’s fifth team and he’s going to do everything he can to help Toronto become a team to beat in the AL East.

 

Jackson is no stranger to the Big Leagues.

 

Jackson first made his MLB debut back in 2015 with the San Diego Padres. It was toward the end of the season, so a lot of players were being called up to teams across the league. He appeared in six games and pitched in 4.1 innings striking out four batters and finished with a 6.23 ERA.

 

Four years later, Jackson had the opportunity to pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers. His time in Milwaukee was the most action he had seen in his career.

 

During the 2019 season, he made 28 appearances on the mound, throwing 30.1 innings and also finished with a 1-0 record with two holds. He also had a 4.45 ERA and struck out a career high 47 batters.

 

 

In 2021 he made his first start of his career with the San Francisco Giants. That start came on September 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a quick outing for Jackson as he only went 0.1 innings giving up three earned runs. That season he did finish with a 2-1 record with a 3.74 ERA in 23 games. He proved that he could get MLB hitters out on a consistent basis. 

Before this season, his last appearance in the league was in 2022, appearing in two games with the Atlanta Braves. So it’s safe to say that Jackson has bounced around the league a few times. And he also spent some time playing in Mexico and Japan.

 

But now, he’s focused on securing a permanent role with Toronto, who desperately needs to sure up the bullpen if they plan to contend with the Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and dangerous Red Sox all season. He certainly has the arm to do so. Now he has another opportunity to write another chapter in his MLB career.