Chicago Cubs News: Edwin Jackson designated for assignment

Shortly after the Chicago Cubs and Jake Arrieta took care of the Atlanta Braves during the series finale, it was announced that veteran right-hander, Edwin Jackson was designated for assignment according to Gordon Wittenmeyer on Twitter.

It feels like this move is long overdue since the 31-year-old hurler was demoted to the bullpen late last season. Theo Epstein signed him a pricey four-year, $52 million contract before the 2013 campaign after a subpar season with the Washington Nationals in hopes of improving the starting rotation.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis
• Cubs might start to limit Justin Steele’s workload soon
• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season

Since his downfall, fans have been wanting him out of the city. He finished with a 4.98 ERA, 135/59 K/BB ratio, 1.46 WHIP, and 8-18 win/loss record through 175 1/3 frames in his first year with the organization.

Things weren’t too great his second time around as he finished the 2014 campaign with a 6.33 ERA – third highest earned run average in his big league career. Jackson recorded a 123/63 K/BB ratio while dropping his record down to 6-15 across 27 starts.

Cubs skipper Joe Maddon gave him the opportunity to earn himself a spot in the starting five during Cactus League play, but he eventually found himself working out of the bullpen to begin the year.

It was nearly impossible to dump him off to another team considering how much he was still owed. Jackson is still owed the rest of the $11 million for this season and another $11 million in 2016 so he shouldn’t have to worry about finding another job – although I’m sure it would still be nice to sign with someone else.

Both Jackson and southpaw Travis Wood moved from the rotation to the pen, mainly working long relief for the Cubs this season.

As Mr. Wettenmeyer notes in his Tweet, recently acquired reliever Rafael Soriano will be joining the Chicago Cubs in Cincinnati when they begin a four-game set with their N.L. Central rivals. It’s likely he’ll remain with the club for the remainder of the season.

These two men were teammates in Washington.

Since the news, Jackson took the opportunity to address the media. He went on to admit that everything didn’t turn out how he planned and wasn’t expecting it while wishing nothing but the best for the organization and city of Chicago, according to Carrie Muskat on Twitter.

He’ll finish his run with the Cubs with an improved ERA of 3.19 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 23/12 K/BB ratio, and 11 earned runs in 31 innings.

Next: Gerardo Perra A Likely Trade Target?