Jackson may join expanding closers corps
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published June 22, 2006
ST. PETERSBURG - If the Devil Rays' plans work out, the team, at some point, could be swimming in closers.
One day after announcing Seth McClung was sent to Triple-A Durham to learn the position, manager Joe Maddon said hard-throwing Edwin Jackson could be groomed for it as well.
"Oh, yeah," Maddon said Wednesday. "He's got potential to finish a game, absolutely."
Jackson, who started 13 of 14 games at Durham and had a terrific outing in April against the Rangers, was called up Tuesday and assigned to the bullpen to replace reliever Tim Corcoran, who got a starting gig when McClung was demoted.
And though Jackson said he would rather start, something he has done for most of his career, he added, "I've always said I'll do whatever I can to help the team win."
Maddon said Jackson's inconsistencies - the 22-year-old right-hander was 2-7 with a 6.05 ERA - prompted the team to think about alternatives.
"Extended periods of really good stuff and then an inning or two when it starts to waver," Maddon said. "Slider inconsistency, but that has gotten better. Fastball velocity has maintained itself, but it seems he's better in short spurts rather than six or seven innings."
Jackson, whose fastball can hit 97 mph, said a recent change (pitching from the third-base side of the rubber rather than the first-base side) has helped him better hit his spots. Jackson said his mechanics are such that he pitches with a right-to-left angle.
"I would have to manipulate my body to get into the right position," he said.
Starting his delivery farther to the right eliminated some wildness.
Jackson will not be thrust into the closer's role. Maddon said because Tyler Walker is out with a right elbow strain, Brian Meadows will be the first choice to close.
But Jackson will get his chance.
"I'm just going to go out there and be aggressive," Jackson said. "Whatever happens from there, we'll wait and see."
"I want him to focus on this entirely, and we'll see where it takes us," Maddon said. "It's not like we're going to jump on and off. We're going to give it a chance to work. We think it can."
ROSTER MOVES:Durham third baseman Sean Burroughs, acquired from the Padres for pitcher Dewon Brazelton, has been designated for assignment. The move made room on the 40-man roster for reliever Jon Switzer, called up after Ruddy Lugo was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained back sustained Tuesday.
Burroughs, 25, drafted ninth overall in 1998, batted .190 in eight games before he was sent to Durham on May 5. He batted .221 for the Bulls.
The Rays have 10 days to trade or release him or seek waivers.
DRUG WAR:Maddon, senior adviser Don Zimmer, team president Matt Silverman and senior vice president Gerry Hunsicker met with lawyers working on former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell's independent investigation into steroid use.
Asked if he could talk about it, Maddon said, "I cannot comment, and if I did, I'd have to kill you."
MISCELLANY:Second baseman Jorge Cantu had seven assists. ... Top draft pick Evan Longoria was 5-for-6 in his second game for Class A Hudson Valley with a double, a run and a steal. ... The Rays signed infielder Jason Romano to a minor-league contract. The Tampa native, released by the Brewers during spring training, is assigned to Durham. Romano played four games with Tampa Bay in 2004. ... Fourth-round pick Alex Cobb pitched a bullpen session before the game. ... Bulls pitcher Juan Salas, who has not allowed an earned run in 39 innings this season for Durham and Double-A Montgomery, is the only member of the Rays organization picked to play in the All-Star Futures Game on July 9 in Pittsburgh.