Nats Agree to Deal with Jackson

(Photo: nypost.com)

The Washington Nationals announced this afternoon that they have signed right handed pitcher Edwin Jackson. The deal is for one-year.

Jackson was the number 4 pitcher on the St Louis Cardinals World Series rotation. He is expected to be a contender to make the rotation come opening day.

Jackson, 28, has a lifetime record of 60-60 with a 4.46 era and 801 strikeouts. He has played for seven teams over his eight seasons in the major leagues. In 2009, he posted a 13-9 record with a 3.62 ERA for the Detroit Tigers. In 2011, he was 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA.

The pitching rotation will be a tightly contested battle. The addition of Jackson only makes life more miserable for Chein Ming Wang, John Lannan, and Ross Detwiler. Those three, plus Jackson, will be pitching it out all preseason to make the opening day rotation.