Zach

Jackson

Jiménez was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday afternoon with what’s being called a right shoulder strain. The good news is that it’s not overly serious, though Kotsay did note that the team will wait until Jiménez is 100 percent discomfort-free before adding him back to the active major league roster. A.J. Puk is likely the frontrunner for saves in Oakland now, with Zach Jackson ranking just behind him.

Jorge De La Rosa remains scheduled to start on Sunday. The guess is that Jackson will start on Wednesday, but Yost wouldn’t confirm his plans.

As expected. Jackson, picked over Jeremi Gonzalez, is worth watching in NL-only leagues. He’s probably a year away from truly being ready.

He struck out four, walked one, and seven of the eight hits were singles, so Jackson easily could have come out of the outing with less damage to his ERA. That he’s given up 27 hits in 17 1/3 innings has held him back, but Jackson does have an impressive 14/2 K/BB ratio. He may not have much value in NL-only formats until he gets a little more seasoning in the minors, but he can be used against the Royals later this week.

Jackson won after the Brewers scored two in the top of the eighth to take a 6-5 lead. Brian Shouse and Derrick Turnbow both pitched scoreless innings of relief. Jackson kept the Brewers in the game tonight by not walking anyone. He’s issued just one free pass in 13 1/3 innings since his promotion. Jackson will get the Indians this weekend in his third start. He shouldn’t be used in NL-only leagues.

Jackson is a lefty and Villanueva is a righty so manager Ned Yost said he will start whichever pitcher matches up better with the team they are playing. The next time either will start is Sunday against Kansas City. Yost hasn’t announced who will get the start.

It’s nice to see that the Brewers are ready to give Jackson a chance, but it seems like odd timing, unless he’s going to start over Jorge De La Rosa on Sunday. Otherwise, he’ll probably be plugged into Dana Eveland’s spot. It’s hard to imagine that the Brewers would add him to the 40-man roster only to use him in middle relief. Jackson probably isn’t quite ready yet, but he is someone to watch in NL-only leagues. He was 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, 53 H and 39/23 K/BB in 57 IP for Nashville.

Jackson’s own error led to one of the unearned runs. All but one of the 10 hits Jackson allowed were singles, and he walked just one batter. He likely earned himself at least one more start with the performance.

Expect Jackson to take the place of the struggling Dana Eveland, who was optioned to the minors.

That Jackson isn’t on the 40-man roster may be the only thing keeping him from making his major league debut next week. As is, the Brewers don’t want to call on him if he’s only going to be needed to make a start or two. Jackson has a 2.50 ERA in nine starts for Nashville.