Should the Tigers Use Jackson Jobe Out of the Bullpen When He Returns?

The next step in Jackson Jobe’s return to the Detroit Tigers will take place Sunday, July 19, when the right-hander makes his third rehab start and his first at the Double-A level. Jobe is scheduled to start for the Erie SeaWolves against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, with first pitch set for 5:05 p.m. ET in Richmond.

Jobe began his rehab assignment July 7 with Low-A Lakeland, allowing one run on two hits over 1⅓ innings. The result was secondary to the fact that he repeatedly reached 100 mph with his fastball in his first game action since May 2025. He followed that appearance by throwing three scoreless innings in the Florida Complex League, allowing two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Through the first two outings, he has allowed one run over 4⅓ innings with five strikeouts.

There are still several steps remaining before Jobe is ready to help Detroit. He underwent a hybrid Tommy John procedure in June 2025, with a full reconstruction of his right ulnar collateral ligament and an internal brace added to assist the recovery. During spring training, Jobe said he was optimistic about returning before September and pitching meaningful innings during the second half. His progress has placed him ahead of that original projection, but the Tigers are going to continue increasing the workload carefully.

Once Jobe is ready, Detroit will have to determine how those innings should be used.

The Tigers still view Jobe as a starting pitcher, and they should. His pitch mix, athleticism and ability to maintain velocity give him the ceiling to become a long-term member of the rotation. However, using him out of the bullpen for the remainder of 2026 should at least be part of the discussion.

The reasoning begins with the construction of the pitching staff. Detroit’s starting pitchers entered the second half with a 3.48 ERA, while Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Troy Melton, Keider Montero, Jack Flaherty and Framber Valdez have all provided stretches of effective starting pitching. The rotation ranked among the best in baseball during the first half despite dealing with injuries and constant movement.

The bullpen has been more difficult to trust.

Detroit relievers carried a 3.85 ERA and 4.03 FIP through the first half, with a 22.2% strikeout rate and 9.3% walk rate. More concerning was the bullpen’s inability to protect leads. The Tigers blew 19 save opportunities before the All-Star break, with only one team recording more.

A one- or two-inning role would allow Jobe to simplify his approach and lean heavily on the best portions of his arsenal. His four-seam fastball averaged 96.5 mph in 2025, while his slider averaged 88.9 mph. He also used a curveball and changeup as part of a deeper starter’s mix. In shorter appearances, Detroit could allow him to attack with the fastball and slider while using the other pitches when necessary.

There is still a command question that cannot be ignored. Jobe went 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA over 49 innings in 2025, but he walked 27 batters while striking out 39. His strikeout rate was lower than expected considering the quality of his raw stuff, and his fastball command was inconsistent at times. Moving to the bullpen would not automatically solve those issues, but it could reduce how often opposing hitters see him and allow him to work in shorter, more aggressive sequences.

Detroit has already tried a similar approach. When Jobe was called up during the 2024 playoff race, the Tigers used him as a reliever. He threw four scoreless innings during the regular season, allowing one hit and one walk. The postseason results were less successful, as Jobe allowed three runs and five hits over 1⅔ innings. The experience showed that his stuff can play out of the bullpen, but it also showed that placing a young pitcher into high-leverage situations does not guarantee immediate success.

The best role may be somewhere between a traditional starter and a one-inning reliever. Jobe could work as a scheduled multi-inning arm, enter against the most difficult portion of an opposing lineup or follow a starter who is limited to four or five innings. A.J. Hinch has consistently preferred flexible leverage roles rather than assigning every reliever to a fixed inning, so the concept would fit Detroit’s existing bullpen philosophy.

The Tigers also need to avoid treating a bullpen assignment as a medical shortcut. Fewer total innings would help manage Jobe’s workload, but warming up frequently and throwing at maximum effort presents a different routine than starting every fifth or sixth day. His recovery between appearances should determine how often he is available.

Provided the rehab continues without interruption, the Tigers should entertain using Jobe out of the bullpen when he returns. It would give Detroit another power arm in an area of the roster that needs one while controlling his 2026 workload.

The long-term plan should remain the rotation. For the remainder of this season, however, a flexible bullpen role may offer the best combination of immediate value and someone who has velocity late in games that gives a different look that Kenley Jansen. 

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