Former Blue Jays reliever Jay Jackson is taking his talents to Mexico. The right-hander has signed a one-year deal with Bravos de León, as reported on their social media account last week.
Jays fans may remember Jackson from the 2023 season, where the veteran arm authored an impressive 2.12 ERA through 25 relief appearances after starting the year in triple-A Buffalo. Jackson signed a MiLB deal with the club after spending time in the Atlanta Braves organization the season before and he rode the options train a few times for the Blue Jays that year, amassing a 0.910 WHIP with a 5.5 K/9 and a 2.7 BB/9, before dropped off the roster so Wes Parsons could make the final start of the season before the Jays went into the playoffs.
Jackson entered free agency last winter and signed a Major League deal with the Minnesota Twins, and after making the Opening Day roster, the South Carolina product was DFA’d in mid-May. He was then selected back to the roster in mid-June but lasted just over ten days before being designated again. With Minnesota, Jackson allowed 22 runs across 26 1/3 innings and authored a 1.405 WHIP through 20 appearances.
Originally drafted by the Cubs in 2008, Jackson made his MLB Debut with the Padres in 2015 but has spent a good portion of his career playing in Japan, from 2016 through 2018 and in 2020 as well.
A fan favourite with the Jays, Jackson has been busy as of late off the field as well, with the pitcher releasing a book this past offseason titled, “9 Innings to Living Your Best Life: Achieve Success When you S.M.I.L.E”.
With almost two decades of professional baseball under his belt, Jackson will be taking his talents to Mexico to continue his baseball journey. Bravos de León have one title under their belt (1990) since 1978, playing under a variety of different team names throughout the years.