Edwin Jackson allowed four runs over five innings, striking out seven, in a start against the Reds on Saturday. As he is wont to do, Jackson gave up three of the four runs in the first inning. In all, the right-hander allowed eight hits and a walk to go with the seven strikeouts. E-Jax has a 5.14 ERA this spring, but fortunately for him his spot in the Cubs' rotation isn't contingent on his performance in the preseason.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria announced Saturday that Edwin Jackson will take on the Pirates in the second game of the regular season on April 2. He follows Jeff Samardzija who will take the hill on Opening Day. Jason Hammel will pitch third for the Cubs, with Travis Wood getting the ball for the home opener. No decision has been made yet on the fifth starter for the Cubs.

Edwin Jackson was strong over four innings in Monday's start against the Angels. Jackson blanked the Halos, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out six. The right-hander made a minor league start on Wednesday, so this is his first official Cactus League outing since March 7 when he threw only fastballs against the Indians. Jackson mixed in off-speed pitches against the Angels on Monday.

Edwin Jackson only threw fastballs on Friday and failed to alert the coaching staff that he planned to do so. "He threw 50 pitches, 50 fastballs," a miffed Cubs manager Rick Renteria said on Saturday. "He wanted to work on his fastball." Renteria and pitching coach Chris Bosio figure to speak with Jackson and sort out the situation, if they haven't done so already. The right-hander struggled in the outing against the Indians, giving up three runs on four hits in his three innings of work. "I think maybe, as we talk about fastball command, maybe he was thinking, 'I'm going to try to hit the spots,'" Renteria said. "He got into a little trouble yesterday and he had some elevated pitches and some pulled pitches. I think you have to kind of allow some flexibility in what he's trying to do. In his mind's eye, he had a particular idea of what he wanted to do and he did it for three innings."

Edwin Jackson struggled in a losing effort against the Indians on Friday, giving up three runs on four hits in his three innings of work. Jackson also hit a pair of batters while fanning two. The Tribe jumped on him early, with Mike Aviles blasting a two-run homer in the first inning. Throwing fastballs almost exclusively, Jackson still had trouble with his command throughout the game. At this point, he's hard to trust in all but the deepest of mixed or NL-only formats.

Edwin Jackson racked up three strikeouts in his Cactus League debut on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits in a loss to the Royals. The highly-inconsistent 30-year-old hurler has been an enigma of sorts in fantasy leagues for his 11-year career. He has shown flashes of brilliance, only to let down owners with bouts of extreme wildness. He still has the ability to miss bats and generate strikeouts though, which makes him relevant as a backend starter in deeper mixed leagues.

Edwin Jackson struggled in Saturday's loss to the Cardinals, allowing six runs on eight hits in only 2 2/3 innings of work. Jackson also issued three free passes while striking out just one in the game. The Cardinals jumped on him early with a two-run homer by Matt Holliday, and didn't let up, chasing him from the game with a four-run uprising in the third. Thus concludes a disappointing season for the 30-year-old right-hander in his first year in Chicago, finishing 8-18 with a 4.98 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 135/59 K/BB ratio over 175 1/3 innings. While he'll maintain a spot in the Cubs rotation for next season, his inconsistency makes him an extremely risky fantasy option.

Edwin Jackson left Saturday's start against the Cardinals with mild lat discomfort. Jackson lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing six runs before exiting. The start was obviously his last of the season anyway, and his season mercifully ends with an 8-17 record and 4.98 ERA.

Edwin Jackson allowed one run over seven innings in a win against the Reds on Tuesday. Jackson scattered nine hits on the night while striking out four. He also helped his cause at the plate, launching his first home run of the season in the effort. The win moved him to 8-15 in a disappointing campaign. The Cubs are using a six-man rotation with the addition of Scott Baker, so Jackson's next turn won't come until Monday in Milwaukee.

Edwin Jackson allowed three runs over five innings in a loss to the Marlins on Tuesday. Jackson is now tied for the league lead in losses with Lucas Harrell, as Tuesday was his 15th of the year to go with seven wins. There's little more to say that hasn't already been said about the 29-year-old's disappointing season. He'll take on the Reds Monday at the Great American Ballpark.