Randy "Jay" Jackson is out of San Diego Padres and into Japan. The 28 year old veteran, will be going to Japan not for vacation but to play for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Jackson according to reports gained an approval from the Padres in order for him to play for a Japanese professional baseball team. And this particular team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, is the particular team who posted pitcher Kenta Maeda this offseason.
The team seems to have some eyes for pitchers in the Major Baseball League. Though Jackson did not have an amazing season with no losses, wins, holds or saves, he was still able to have tossed 4.1 innings while allowing seven hits. With Jackson going to Japan, fans are sure expect his experience being brought out in the field, especially during his stints with Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, and Miami Marlins.
The approval or release of Jackson likewise marks the second moment that Padres lost a player in their roster to Nippon Professional Baseball league. For it is now being reported that pitcher Marcos Mateo, a former Padres and currently free agent, is also going to Japan. However, unlike Jackson bound for the Carp, Mateo will be playing with one of the oldest professional clubs in Japan, Hanshin Tigers.
Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Mateo had a physical for the Tigers last week. The report also detailed that the 31 year old player will soon play signing a contract with the tigers, thus suggesting an exchange of amount to be given to the San Diego Padres.
The departure of the two players would mean a clear up in the Padres bullpen, which is quite crowded with the presence of Brandon Maurer, Cory Mazzoni, Jon Edwards, Kevin Quackenbush, Nick Vincent, Odrisamer Despaigne and Cesar Vargas, said gospelherald.