Jackson signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

After three seasons in Major League Baseball, Jackson will ply his trade in Japan, where he might be able to work as a starter. The Pirates released Jackson last month to allow him to pursue this opportunity. Still just 27, Jackson could theoretically return to the majors down the line if things go well for him in his new venture.

Jackson was released by the Pirates on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Pirates on Thursday and will now head into free agency. The 27-year-old right-hander holds a career 4.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 76:32 K:BB in 82.2 major-league innings.

Jackson was designated for assignment Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson split the 2023 season between the Pirates and Dodgers and worked as both a starter and reliever. All told, he managed a 4.99 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 61.1 innings in the majors, so he should be able to find a new opportunity in relatively short order.

Jackson struck out two and gave up no hits and two walks over one scoreless inning in his start in Friday's 7-5 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson had been serving as a traditional starter or bulk reliever for the better part of the month, but he was deployed as more of an opener in Friday's contest. Though the Pirates didn't disclose Jackson was dealing with any reported injury, he tossed just one inning before he was lifted from the contest in favor of Luis Ortiz, who covered 3.2 innings of long relief. The Pirates have been running out a six-man rotation of late, so it's possible that Jackson ends up moving to the bullpen over the final week and a half of the season if manager Derek Shelton feels the team can get by with five starters.

Jackson will get the start for the Pirates in Friday's game at Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson has been operating in a swingman role for Pittsburgh while posting a 4.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB across 37.1 innings. He threw 66 pitches over 4.1 innings of long relief in his last appearance Sunday versus the Yankees.

Jackson (1-3) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over four innings against Washington. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

A CJ Abrams home run plated two for the Nationals in the third, then Jackson was removed after laboring through the fourth in allowing two more runs on two hits and two walks. Jackson had been pitching well since arriving in Pittsburgh with a 2.92 ERA in his first 24.2 innings, but his ERA has jumped to 5.51 after allowing 10 runs in 8.1 innings over his last two starts. He'll look to rebound in his next appearance, currently scheduled to take place over the weekend in a home series against the Yankees.

Jackson (1-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing six runs on three hits and five walks over 4.1 innings against the Brewers. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson retired the first nine Brewers he faced and managed to limit the fourth-inning damage to just one run after walking the bases loaded to start the frame. However, the wheels came off in the fifth when the 27-year-old was charged with five more runs on three hits and two walks. In Jackson's previous six appearances since returning to the big-league squad Aug. 5, he posted a 2.92 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB across 24.2 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, which is projected to be early next week versus the Nationals.

Jackson (1-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals. He allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson has pitched relatively well since joining the Pirates in a trade from the Dodgers, allowing eight runs over 24.2 innings while posting a 27:7 K:BB in that span. This was his third start of the season, all of which have come with Pittsburgh. Overall, he's amassed a 4.46 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB through 42.1 innings over 13 appearances in 2023. Should Jackson remain in the rotation, he's projected for a tougher home start versus the Brewers next week.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Jackson will start Wednesday's game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson tossed six innings of two-run ball in a bulk-relief role during his last appearance Thursday against the Cubs, but he'll pick up his third start of the season in his return to the hill. Since being acquired from the Dodgers in late June and then joining the big club earlier this month, Jackson has delivered a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB in 19 innings through his first five outings with the Pirates.

Jackson allowed two runs on six hits while striking out two over six innings in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Jackson allowed a pair of runs in the second inning after Rob Zastryzny worked the opening frame. However, the 27-year-old Jackson would settle in and blank the Cubs over his final five innings, allowing just two additional hits. Since joining the Pirates in early August, the 27-year-old right-hander's worked to a 3.32 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP over 19 innings. It remains to be seen if Pittsburgh will deploy Jackson as a traditional starter, though he's currently lined up to pitch early next week in Kansas City.