COMSTOCK PARK – With the departure of Tarik Skubal and the injury of Jack Flaherty, the Detroit Tigers are in need of starting pitching.
The good news is help is on the way.
Jackson Jobe looked strong in his minor league rehab start with the West Michigan Whitecaps on Sunday, Aug. 2, at LMCU Ballpark, and is getting closer to a return to the majors.
“I feel great. It is good to be back (in West Michigan). It’s obviously been a long process but I am just thankful, everything has gone well up to this point. I am just trying to keep it that way,” Jobe said.
Jobe pitched four innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. He struck out five and walked two, throwing 69 pitches, in a 7-5 Whitecaps loss against the Beloit Snappers in the first game of a doubleheader.
He reached 100 mph a few times and was regularly in the high 90s. He was scheduled to have a rehab start with Triple-A Toledo, but it was moved to High-A West Michigan because of weather.
“I still feel like I am knocking off a little bit of rust but all things considered, I feel pretty good,” Jobe said. “Not much to complain about. I just could have a little better executing if I were to nit-pick. But I am pretty happy with how it went. Two-strike executing (is what I was focused on today). I felt like I am in the zone a good bit. Being able to tighten up my command with two strikes – I feel like I did a better job today than my last start. Still have a little bit to go.”
Jobe gave up a single to right on the first pitch of the game but settled in quickly. His last pitch of the first inning was 100 mph.
He loaded the bases with a single and two walks in the second inning put induced a groundout to short to end the inning unscathed in his first 36 pitches.
It was his fifth rehab start. He threw 54 pitches for Double-A Erie on July 25. He is well into his recovery from an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery in June of 2025.
“I trust the plan they have for me,” he said. “Change-up is the last thing that needs to come along, just as far as execution goes. Definitely getting eager. I am trying not to play GM as they say. I am ready to go. I will be ready for anything they ask me to do,” Jobe said. “The toughest part has been not being able to play with the team, especially times we were struggling. I want to be out there to help the team. I have tried my best to be patient and not rush. We have been really smart about it. I will be ready to go.”
Pacheco power
Isaac Pacheco was also on rehab assignment. He is the all-time Whitecaps home run leader with 42, including the three he hit this week in his return to LMCU Ballpark.
Pacheco hit a three-run homer on Sunday, making it three consecutive games with a home run.
He was 1-for-2 with the home run and a walk.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Detroit Tigers starter Jackson Jobe sharp in rehab start with West Michigan Whitecaps
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Dan D'Addona, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
