Blue Jays pathetically have no other option than Edwin Jackson

The Toronto Blue Jays pathetically have no other option than to trot Edwin Jackson and his 11.90 earned run average to the mound on Wednesday.

Edwin Jackson was a late addition when the Blue Jays purchased the veteran hurler from the Oakland Athletics a month earlier. The 35-year old has made five uninspiring starts north of the border surrendering  26 earned runs and eight home runs in just 19.2 innings of work.

One would have thought it was safe to assume Jackson’s days in a Blue Jays uniform were numbered. However, manager Charlie Montoyo confirmed Jackson would be the starter on Wednesday versus the Baltimore Orioles asserting “We don’t have anybody else.”

So let me get this straight, the Jays do not have a better option than a 35-year old who has been throwing batting practice to the opposition since joining the team. Jackson is surrendering 16.5 hits per nine innings along with a 3.7 homer per nine inning clip. But there is pathetically no other viable option?

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The Jays brain trust had tossed around using Thomas Pannone in his place, however, it was decided there was more of a need for his services in the bullpen. Injuries to pitchers Ryan Borucki, Matt Shoemaker, Clay Buchholz, and Jacob Waguespack have contributed to the depressing state of affairs.

There are a number of starters on the 40-man roster who would be better served starting in the place of Jackson, especially during a rebuild. The likes of Patrick Murphy, Yennsy Diaz, Sean Reid-Foley, Hector Perez, and David Paulino could have all been afforded a spot start until the overall starting rotation complexion became clearer.

The bold move would have been to promote their top pitching prospect Nate Pearson and see what the youngster can do on the big stage. Pearson sports a 2.92 earned run average in seven starts for the Fisher Cats this season.

Unfortunately, the Jays will fall on their proverbial sword and hand the ball to Edwin Jackson versus the lowly Orioles in a battle of the AL East cellar dwellers.