Jackson Jobe, a rookie right-handed starter for the Detroit Tigers, has been placed on the disabled list.
The club reports that Jobe has a Grade 1 right flexor strain. The mildest strain is the one.
Dylan Smith, a rookie right-hander, was chosen from Triple-A Toledo to replace Jobe on the active roster.
Veteran right-hander Alex Cobb was placed on the 60-day disabled list to make way for Smith’s arrival.
Jobe did not show up to the Tigers’ clubhouse on Wednesday following a start in which he had poor velocity overall. Given that he had stated that he was “not feeling like I was at my best physically” following his start on May 23, this raised questions about his health.
“Throughout the season, you’re going to have times when you feel great, times when you don’t feel good, and times when you’re somewhere in between,” Jobe explained when asked to elucidate. I didn’t feel my best today, but that’s just a part of the process.
Jobe’s next planned start isn’t until June 3, so the Tigers have some time to decide on their rotation plans. In the interim, Smith will offer them an additional arm in the bullpen.
The 22-year-old Jobe was selected third overall in the 2021 draft. He pitched 73 2/3 innings with 81 strikeouts and 38 walks, recording a 1.95 ERA, in Double-A Erie for almost the whole of the 2024 season.
On September 7, he got a rather surprise late-season promotion to Triple-A Toledo. 16 days later, he was stunningly promoted to the major leagues. He worked out of the bullpen and pitched in two regular season games and two postseason games.
This spring, Jobe earned a rotation position owing in part to his performance and in part to his background. He was widely regarded as baseball’s top pitching prospect, and new regulations encourage teams to elevate their top prospects as quickly as possible.
Jobe has made eleven starts this season and has been constantly competitive, but he has only displayed glimpses of the domination the Tigers hope he will possess in the future. In 49 innings pitched, he recorded a 4.22 ERA (5.15 FIP) with 39 strikeouts and 27 walks.
The Tigers are 9-1 when he starts, despite the fact that he was the team’s least productive regular starter.
Smith, who turned 25 on Wednesday, was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the University of Alabama. Early in his career, he was regarded as such a valuable prospect that in 2022, he was invited to big-league camp. However, he has faced injuries and had a difficult minor league career.
He has had a smooth transition since the Tigers moved him to the bullpen this season. In 20 innings with Double-A Erie, Smith recorded a 1.80 ERA, walking seven and striking out 27. He has pitched two and a third innings at Triple-A Toledo, striking out five.
If Smith gets into a game, it would be his first time playing in Major League Baseball. Smith made his Triple-A debut only a few days ago.
Since Cobb has already missed more than 60 days, his move to the 60-day IL is only a formality.
Cobb, who was supposed to be in the Opening Day rotation after agreeing to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Tigers in December, has been out since February due to hip irritation.
On Friday, he started what should be a protracted rehabilitation assignment with High-A West Michigan.
