The Athletics outrighted Jackson to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday after he cleared waivers.
Jackson lost his spot on Oakland's 40-man roster Saturday, when the Athletics needed to clear room for right-hander Alex Speas after acquiring him from the White Sox. Though he notched 28 holds and four saves for Oakland over the past two seasons, Jackson struggled mightily in spring training to earn a demotion to Triple-A to begin the season. The Athletics elected to designate him for assignment after Jackson failed to show much improvement at Las Vegas; he was touched up for one earned run on two hits and five walks over two innings through his first two appearances in the Pacific Coast League.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Jackson was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Sunday.
It's been a precipitous drop for Jackson in a relatively short period of time, as he recorded 28 holds and four saves while posting a a 2.86 ERA over 73 games for Oakland over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The right-hander's fortunes began to turn for the worse this spring when he produced a 6.48 ERA in nine Cactus League outings, and they didn't get any better (18.00 ERA, 5.00 WHIP) over three appearances with Triple-A Las Vegas early this minor-league season. Jackson's spot on the 40-man roster was taken up by Alex Speas, who was acquired from the White Sox on Saturday for cash considerations.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Athletics optioned Jackson to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Jackson missed out on a bullpen spot after allowing seven runs (six earned) over 8.1 innings this spring. The 29-year-old could still eventually fill a leverage role in an unsettled Oakland bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Healthy for spring training
Rotowire
Jackson (elbow/appendix) has made two appearances for the Athletics thus far during Cactus League play, covering two scoreless innings and striking out a batter while giving up one hit and one walk.
When healthy, Jackson was one of the Athletics' top relievers last season, but he didn't make any appearances after May 16 due to a right flexor tendon strain. He began a minor-league rehab assignment in late July, but he ultimately wasn't activated from the 60-day injured list after he required an emergency appendectomy. Jackson appears to have made a full recovery from the appendectomy and should be in good shape to make the Athletics' Opening Day roster, but it's unclear if he'll be a part of Oakland's unsettled closing situation.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Out indefinitely after appendectomy
Rotowire
Jackson (elbow) underwent an appendectomy Monday and is without a timeline to resume his rehab program, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Jackson has made two minor-league appearances in the past week as he works on returning from a strained elbow, but his recovery from the appendectomy will put a pause on his rehab indefinitely. He struck out four and allowed two earned runs in two innings across the two rehab appearances. The right-hander has been on the injured list since mid-May.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Logs second rehab outing
Rotowire
Jackson (elbow) allowed two earned runs on two solo home runs while also recording two strikeouts over one inning in Single-A Stockton's win over Lake Elsinore on Saturday.
Jackson's second rehab outing certainly didn't go as smoothly as the first, when he fired a perfect frame Wednesday. However, Jackson still toughed out a difficult inning and recorded a pair of strikeouts along the way, firing 11 of his 17 pitches for strikes. Despite the somewhat rocky appearance Saturday, Jackson will move up to Triple-A Las Vegas for his next rehab outing Tuesday, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Completes another bullpen session
Rotowire
Jackson (elbow) threw another bullpen session Saturday, the Associated Press reports.
Jackson also threw a bullpen session the previous Saturday and didn't experience any residual effects, but the Athletics apparently determined he wasn't yet ready to face live hitters. However, if the right-hander's elbow responds well again over the next few days, a live BP session could be the next step in Jackson's recovery.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: No issues after bullpen session
Rotowire
Jackson (elbow) did not feel any residual effects from Saturday's bullpen session, the team's official site reports.
Jackson reported feeling good Sunday and is now set to face live hitters in a batting practice session as his next step. The right-hander last saw game action May 16, so he projects for a fairly lengthy rehab assignment whenever he reaches that stage of his recovery.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Set for bullpen session
Rotowire
Jackson (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the team's official site reports.
The right-hander's absence due to a flexor tendon strain is approaching two months, yet Saturday's planned activity is certainly a step in the right direction. Jackson will eventually be ticketed for a lengthy rehab assignment given how long he's been sidelined, but even that step is still likely weeks away.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Removed from 40-man roster
Rotowire
Oakland transferred Jackson (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
Jackson won't be eligible to rejoin the Athletics until after the All-Star break, as he was initially placed on the 15-day IL on May 19 with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for right-hander Angel Felipe, whom Oakland claimed off waivers from San Diego.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: To begin throwing next week
Rotowire
Jackson (elbow) has apparently reached the point where he is pain-free and will begin throwing next week, the team's official site reports.
The right-hander's right flexor tendon strain has been slow to improve, but Jackson is now on the precipice of a throwing program. The 28-year-old could be ready to head out on a rehab assignment by the end of the month if he remains free of setbacks.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Could start throwing soon
Rotowire
The Athletics announced Wednesday that Jackson (elbow) could begin a throwing program next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Jackson has spent the past two and a half weeks resting after he landed on the 15-day injured list May 19 with a right flexor tendon strain. Because he had been serving largely as a one-inning reliever prior to being shut down, Jackson won't required an extensive ramp-up period, though he still looks unlikely to make it back from the IL until at least late June even if he experiences no further setbacks once he starts throwing again.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: To IL with flexor strain
Rotowire
Jackson was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Friday with a right flexor tendon strain.
It's an injury which typically results in longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Jackson was part of the closer mix in a messy A's bullpen situation but now figures to be out of commission for at least a month or so. Not a single active member of the bullpen has recorded a save this season.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Takes loss Wednesday
Rotowire
Jackson (0-1) was charged with the loss in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Guardians, allowing two runs (one earned) on a hit, a walk and a wild pitch over one inning. He struck out one.
Tasked with preserving a 4-4 tie when he entered in the 10th inning, Jackson immediately issued a walk to Myles Straw and then uncorked a wild pitch that moved both him and inning-opening runner Andres Gimenez up a base. After subsequently surrendering an RBI groundout and RBI single to Will Brennan and Steven Kwan, respectively, Jackson was on the hook for the loss he was eventually charged with. The right-hander's struggles Wednesday notwithstanding, Jackson should remain a trusted member of the manager Mark Kotsay's late-inning bullpen arsenal and had opened the season with three straight scoreless appearances before the hiccup.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Control issues in spring
Rotowire
Jackson sports a 1-0 record, 4.50 ERA and 2.17 WHIP across six innings in six Cactus League appearances.
The right-hander was a highly valuable bullpen asset as a rookie in 2022 before ending the season on the injured list with a shoulder strain, producing a 2-3 record, 27 holds, three saves and a 3.00 ERA across 54 appearances. Jackson has experienced some control issues as he works off rust this spring, however, issuing multiple walks in three appearances. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old impressively managed to avoid any damage until his most recent outing Saturday against the Reds, when he allowed his only three runs of Cactus League play thus far across just one-third of an inning.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Looks ready for spring debut
Rotowire
Jackson (shoulder) is listed as an available option out of the Oakland bullpen for Monday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Jackson closed the 2022 campaign on the injured list with a shoulder strain suffered in early September, but he avoided surgery to address the injury and appears to be back to full strength for spring training. Oakland has yet to formally name a closer for Opening Day, and Jackson should factor into the late-inning mix in some capacity after a strong showing as a rookie a season ago. Over his 54 appearances with the big club spanning 48 innings, the right-hander accrued a 3.00 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 67:33 K:BB while collecting three saves and 27 holds.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Likely done for season
Rotowire
A's manager Mark Kotsay said Tuesday it's unlikely that Jackson (shoulder) will pitch again this season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Jackson has been making progress with his strained right shoulder, the issue is simply that there isn't enough time left in the season for Jackson to come back. The rookie reliever will likely have to wait until 2023 to pitch again following his 3.00 ERA, 1.27 WHIP campaign in 2022.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Earns third save
Rotowire
Jackson recorded a save Wednesday against the Angels, tossing a perfect frame during which he struck out two batters.
Jackson protected a two-run, ninth-inning lead with ease, notching a pair of punchouts and retiring all three batters he faced on 14 pitches. It was a strong bounce-back performance after the right-hander took a loss against the White Sox his last time out. With Lou Trivino now a Yankee, Jackson could be Oakland's closer of choice -- A.J. Puk, who is also in competition for the role, worked the seventh inning and picked up his 14th hold in the contest. Dany Jimenez, who was recently activated from the injured list, also figures to be in the ninth-inning mix.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Earns win in relief
Rotowire
Jackson (2-2) earned the win Saturday against the Royals. He allowed no runs on no hits while striking out one and walking none over one inning.
Jackson took home the win after a three-up, three-down sixth inning during which he sent down Kansas City's 3-4-5 hitters. He needed only 11 pitches to end the inning. The righty reliever was credited with his second win of the season after being given the loss in his last appearance. Jackson continues to be a reliable arm in the bullpen, though he has only one save on the season.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Zach Jackson: Up to eight holds
Rotowire
Jackson recorded his eighth hold in a win over the Mariners on Tuesday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout.
Jackson served as an effective bridge to closer Dany Jimenez in the ninth inning by putting together an eighth straight appearance without allowing an earned run. The right-hander has lowered his ERA from 4.91 to 2.75 in the process while also recording a win and four holds.
