The SF Giants placed veteran reliever Luke Jackson on the paternity list on Monday afternoon, recalling right-handed pitcher Sean Hjelle (Giants Top 40 Prospect) from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. MLB allows players to spend three days on the paternity list, so Jackson will presumably return to the active roster on Friday for the start of San Francisco's final series of the season.
Hjelle, the Giants' second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, was in position to solidify himself on the team's pitching staff early this season after an impressive spring training. However, he struggled early in the season and was soon usurped by other young pitchers like Tristan Beck, Ryan Walker, Keaton Winn, and Kyle Harrison. He has also been unable to bounce back from his slow start. Over the course of the season, Hjelle has posted an 8.10 ERA in 23.1 MLB innings and a 6.03 ERA in 91 innings pitched at Triple-A.
Hjelle has already been optioned six times this season, which means the Giants will need to subject him to waivers before they can option him again. Any team would have the opportunity to claim Hjelle in that scenario, but it's not a guarantee given his struggles.
Jackson has been a solid middle reliever for the Giants since he returned from UCL surgery earlier this season. Jackson has recorded a 2.97 ERA (3.29 FIP) in 33.1 innings pitched (33 appearances) with 43 strikeouts and 15 walks. Jackson has not quite had his previous success as a top late-inning option in close games but has clearly taken some positive steps forward in his first season since surgery.
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