Baltimore Orioles and pitcher Edwin Jackson reportedly come to terms on minor league deal
The Baltimore Orioles add pitcher Edwin Jackson to a minor league contract Tuesday night.
The Baltimore Orioles, like every season, is in dire need of starting pitching to bolster an unpredictable four-man starting rotation.
On the night of the Orioles second regular season game where they completed the two-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays, the team added veteran starting pitcher Edwin Jackson. The Orioles and Jackson have agreed on a minor league contract according to Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun.
According to Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun, the Orioles and Jackson have agreed on a minor league contract. However, the deal is pending a physical, something that makes O’s fans cringe.
The #Orioles have agreed to terms with veteran RHP Edwin Jackson on a minor league deal, according to soucres. Deal is pending physical.
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) April 6, 2017
The 33-year-old Jackson is coming off a 2016 season where he pitched for the Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres. Jackson began last season in the Miami Marlins’ bullpen where he allowed seven earned runs in 10.2 innings of work before being released by the team June 2.
Eighteen days later, Jackson signed with the San Diego Padres where he made his return to the starting rotation. The veteran right-hander struggled with the Padres as he went 5-6 in 13 starts with a 5.89 ERA.
WATCH: Mark Trumbo blasts Opening Day walk-off home run
At the moment, Jackson’s role with the Orioles is unclear. Still, with a four-man rotation that includes the ridiculously inconsistent Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley, Jackson joining the Orioles starting rotation is not out of the question despite recent struggles as a starter.
Jackson’s best outing as a starter last year came against the Boston Red Sox where he tossed seven shutout innings with 11 strikeouts, just two strikeouts shy of matching his career-high set in 2011 with the Chicago White Sox.
Next: Orioles starting pitcher Wade Miley throws sim game
Encina’s report included his initial plans with the Orioles which includes a flight to Sarasota today, pending a physical. Next, Jackson will take part in the Orioles extended spring training. Lastly, Jackson’s next destination will likely be in Norfolk, VA where he will join the Orioles Triple-A team.