The Los Angeles Dodgers have constantly shuffled their bullpen this season, with pitchers moving in and out and few roles set in stone. Last month, the team selected the contract of Ryan Brasier and optioned Bryan Hudson to Triple-A Oklahoma City, while also designating Andre Jackson for assignment in order to make room for Brasier on the 40-man roster.
After going on waivers, Jackson was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 25 in exchange for cash considerations. The right-hander at the time was with OKC, as he had been optioned as the corresponding move to the Dodgers selecting the contract of Adam Kolarek.
It was the fourth time Jackson had been optioned, which left him with just one more before reaching the limit of five Minor League options per player in a single season.
Jackson originally joined the Dodgers after being selected in the 12th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He thanked the organization in an Instagram post while expressing his excitement to join the Pirates.
Jackson appeared in 14 games over parts of three seasons with the Dodgers and went 0-1 with four saves, a 4.15 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. He recorded two saves, a 6.62 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in seven games this year.
With Oklahoma City this season, Jackson went 1-1 with a 5.86 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 11 games (one start). The 27-year-old is 18-20 with one save and a 3.99 ERA in 97 career Minor League games (81 starts).
The Pirates optioned Jackson to Triple-A Indianapolis upon acquiring him in the trade with the Dodgers. In his first appearance with the affiliate on July 7, he threw two scoreless innings and collected two strikeouts against one walk.
Andre Jackson made history in MLB debut
Jackson tossed four scoreless innings and allowed only two hits with five strikeouts and four walks in his MLB debut against the Pirates on August 16, 2021.
According to STATS, Jackson became the first player to put up such a stat line in his first big league game.
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