Twins DFA reliever at center of Aaron Judge-Blue Jays controversy in 2023

Once again, Minnesota is sending their failing reliever—who has an odd past—packing.

It wouldn’t be particularly newsworthy, normally, if the Minnesota Twins designated a struggling fringe reliever. As the trade deadline draws near, teams in Major League Baseball begin roster housekeeping at this time of year.

But there are two reasons why the Twins’ decision to DFA Jay Jackson is significant. For starters, Jackson has experienced quite the rollercoaster this season since this is the second time Minnesota has designated him for assignment. The other is that Jackson arrived to the Twins with an unusual past that included Aaron Judge, a consistent MVP contender.

Twins News: Minnesota designated reliever Jay Jackson for assignment again

Before agreeing to a one-year contract with the Twins for the 2024 campaign, Jay Jackson had been with many teams in the league, most notably the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. Jackson became embroiled in a spat with Judge and the Yankees during that trip, with some accusing them of stealing signs while playing against Jackson.

Jackson was ready to accept responsibility, though, claiming that the Yankees had discovered that he was actually tilting his pitches.

Twins reliever Jay Jackson was designated for assignment, Rocco Baldelli said. No announcement yet on who is called up.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 20, 2024

Aside from that peculiar circumstance, Jackson’s Twins career has been largely dismal. Jackson has a 7.52 ERA in 20 appearances with Minnesota in 2024, including three straight games after his most recent call-up in which he has allowed at least one earned run.

The Twins can’t afford to have a man who is getting hit around and losing games out of the bullpen while they are fighting for a spot in the AL Wild Card race. Jackson might return to the Twins’ minor league system, where he will aim to improve and possibly receive another opportunity later in the season. He has been a good reliever in the past and has already made it through waivers once this year.