Reliever Jay Jackson, who was one of the final cuts in spring training, is on his way to join #BlueJays in Pittsburgh per source Zach Pop needed assistance leaving field yesterday so wouldn’t be surprising if he’s headed to IL
The Blue Jays have apparently called up reliever Jay Jackson

Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2023, 13:37 EDT
The Blue Jays have called up a new reliever.
Per Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Blue Jays have called up reliever Jay Jackson, likely to replace the injured Zach Pop.
As you may know, the 35-year-old right-handed pitcher was one of the final cuts from spring training. He pitched 9.1 innings in spring training, not allowing a run and posting a 35.1 K% and a 5.4 BB%.
Originally, Jackson was released, but then signed an interesting contract, which you can read about here. He was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he’s been good, despite the high ERA and FIP.
In 10.2 innings pitched with Toronto’s Triple-A team, he has a 5.91 ERA and a 5.18 FIP. However, he also has a 31.3 K% and a 4.2 BB%, for an excellent K-BB% of 27.1%. Moreover, the high ERA came from two consecutive poor games early in the season, where he gave up six runs over a 2.1 innings pitched stretch. Since those two games, he has a 1.42 ERA and a 3.97 FIP in 6.2 innings pitched.
Here's his second strikeout of the game, this one on an 83.2 mph slider.
Jackson’s slider is his best pitch, as it has a whiff percentage of 42.4% (swings and misses divided by total swings). It’s an excellent out pitch with tons of horizontal sweep. His fastball has averaged 93 mph as well, although it has a lower whiff% of 14.3%.
Despite this, Jackson is a fresh arm with major league experience, and could certainly help a bullpen that has been heavily utilized the past few series.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Brennan_L_D.
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