Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson Sr., while in the United States Army, was stationed in Neu Ulm, Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany. He spent three of the first eight years of his life in Germany, had a few years in Louisiana, before spending the rest of his youth in Columbus, Georgia. Jackson attended Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia from 1997 to 2001. While attending Shaw High School, Jackson played outfield for the Raider baseball team. His senior year, Jackson helped lead the Raiders baseball team to the 2001 GHSA AAAA State Championship title over Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia.
Professional career
Los Angeles Dodgers (2003–2005)
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Jackson in the sixth round of the 2001 MLB draft. He was originally drafted as an outfielder but the Dodgers converted him into a pitcher. There was a time when Jackson was regarded as one of the premiere pitching prospects in baseball, but poor showings in AAA and MLB after that season ended his status as a "can't-miss" prospect. He made his major league debut on September 9, 2003, his 20th birthday. In that game, he pitched six innings, giving up one run and out-pitching Cy Young Award-winner Randy Johnson to earn his first career major league victory.
On January 14, 2006, Jackson and left-handed pitcher Chuck Tiffany were traded to Tampa Bay for pitchers Danys Báez and Lance Carter. In 2006, Jackson pitched in 23 games, mostly in middle relief, and posted a 5.45 ERA in 36⅓ innings. In 2007, Jackson became a full-time starter for the Rays. He began the season poorly, going 1–9 with a 7.23 ERA in 17 games over 74⅔ innings. Jackson managed to rebound somewhat after the All-Star break, posting a 4–6 record and a 4.48 ERA over 15 games, all of them starts. His season highlight came in a start against the Texas Rangers on August 11, in which he recorded a shutout, allowing only four hits and one walk while striking out eight. Jackson finished the season with a 5–15 record and an ERA of 5.76. In 2008, Jackson assumed the number four spot in the Rays' starting rotation out of spring training. He finished the season with a 4.42 ERA. Jackson tied with James Shields to lead the Rays with 14 victories, which also tied the record for most wins by a Rays pitcher.
Detroit Tigers (2009)
On December 10, 2008, Jackson was traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for outfielder Matt Joyce. Jackson made his Tigers debut on April 7, 2009, against the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed one run in 7⅓ innings, and received a no decision in Detroit's 5–4 loss. He earned his first victory with Detroit on April 18 against the Seattle Mariners, pitching 7⅔ scoreless innings. Jackson was selected to represent Detroit in the 2009 All-Star Game along with teammates Curtis Granderson, Justin Verlander, and Brandon Inge. He pitched a scoreless fifth inning for the AL, retiring Yadier Molina, Ryan Zimmerman, and Hanley Ramírez on four pitches. At the end of July, opposing batters were hitting.216 against him, which was the lowest batting average in the league; he was followed by Matt Garza, Jarrod Washburn, and Scott Feldman.
On July 30, 2010, the Diamondbacks traded Jackson to the Chicago White Sox for Daniel Hudson and David Holmberg. When the Diamondbacks traded Jackson to the White Sox he became the first pitcher in the Majors to be traded away in the same season that he pitched a no-hitter since Cliff Chambers pitched a no-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Boston Braves in 1951.
St. Louis Cardinals (2011)
On July 27, 2011, Jackson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays with Mark Teahen for Jason Frasor and Zach Stewart. The Blue Jays then traded Jackson to the St. Louis Cardinals later that day, along with Octavio Dotel, Marc Rzepczynski and Corey Patterson for Colby Rasmus, P. J. Walters, Trever Miller and Brian Tallet. On July 29, 2011, Edwin Jackson pitched his first game as a Cardinal and threw 7 strong innings, leading St. Louis to a blowout win over their rivals the Chicago Cubs. Over 13 regular-season appearances for St. Louis in 2011, Jackson pitched 78 innings in which he struck out 51 batters and walked 23. He allowed 91 hits and 37 runs to accrue a regular-season ERA of 3.58 with the Cardinals. In four postseason starts during St. Louis' successful march to the 2011 World Championship, Jackson posted a 5.60 ERA, issuing 19 hits, nine bases on balls and 11 runs, including four home runs, over 17⅔ innings. Jackson declined a one-year salary arbitration offer from the Cardinals for the 2012 season, becoming a free agent in December 2011.
Washington Nationals (2012)
On February 2, 2012, Jackson agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals. The contract was reported to be worth $11 million and to contain incentive bonuses for achievements such as postseason awards. Jackson went 10–11 with the Nationals with an ERA of 4.03. He became a free agent after the Nationals elimination from the playoffs.
Chicago Cubs (2013–2015)
On January 2, 2013, Jackson signed a 4-year, $52 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. On April 14, he along with Michael Bowden broke the record for most wild pitches in an inning, with 5. He finished the year 8–18 with a 4.98 ERA. The 2014 season was even more dismal for Jackson. He finished the season with a 6–15 record, a 6.33 ERA over 140⅔ IP, and allowed opponents a.302 against him. Over the course of his final 9 starts, Jackson posted a 1–6 record with a 9.95 ERA. His final start against the Los Angeles Dodgers saw him give up 5 earned runs in just ⅔ of an inning, leading to his subsequent demotion to the bullpen for the remainder of the year. Jackson entered 2015 competing for a spot in the starting rotation with Travis Wood, but lost after giving up 9 earned runs in 16.1 innings. He began the season as the long reliever in the Cubs bullpen. On July 19, the Cubs designated him for assignment. On July 27, the Cubs released Jackson, eating the $13 million remaining on his contract. The team also owed him the same amount through the 2016 season.
Atlanta Braves (2015)
On August 14, Jackson signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves for the remainder of the 2015 season. He made his first appearance with the Braves the next day. Jackson recorded his first career save in relief of Matt Wisler on October 4, 2015, the final day of the season.
Miami Marlins (2016)
On January 13, 2016, Jackson signed a one-year contract for $507,500 with the Miami Marlins. He was designated for assignment on May 31, 2016, when the team activated Mike Dunn from the disabled list.
San Diego Padres (2016)
After signing a minor-league contract with the Padres in June 2016, Jackson was called up and made his first start as a Padre on July 17, 2016.
Baltimore Orioles (2017)
On April 5, 2017, Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles. He was called up to the Orioles from AAA Norfolk on June 7, 2017. Jackson was designated for assignment on June 11 and elected free agency two days later.
Return to Washington (2017–2018)
On June 16, 2017, Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals, making this his second stint with the franchise. After several outings with the Class-AAA Syracuse Chiefs, allowing just one earned run in 20⅓ innings of work, Jackson was promoted to the Nationals' major league roster to take injured starter Joe Ross' rotation spot for a July 18 start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Jackson earned the 4–3 win, spinning seven innings of three-hit ball and allowing his only runs on solo home runs by Mike Trout and Martín Maldonado, and manager Dusty Baker said he would continue starting for Washington. He resigned a minor-league contract on January 11, 2018. He was assigned to AAA Syracuse Chiefs for the 2018 season. On June 1, 2018, the Nationals released Jackson from his minor-league contract after he opted out.
Oakland Athletics (2018)
Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland Athletics on June 6, 2018, and was assigned to the AAA Nashville Sounds. He was called up to start for the Athletics on June 25, tying a Major League record of having played for thirteen different teams. Jackson earned his 100th career victory on July 30, 2018 in a 10-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays (2019)
On May 11, 2019, Jackson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. On May 15, 2019, Jackson made a start against the San Francisco Giants, becoming the first player ever to play for 14 different teams in MLB. Jackson posted an 11.12 ERA through eight games. On July 16, 2019, he was designated for assignment. On July 20, 2019, Jackson was released.
Return to Detroit (2019)
On July 22, 2019, Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers and assigned him to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. In two starts for the Mud Hens, Jackson allowed five earned runs on 11 hits in innings, two strikeouts and four walks. On August 9, the Tigers selected Jackson's contract from the Mud Hens and promoted him to the majors. Jackson became a free agent following the 2019 season.
Return to Arizona (2020)
On February 2, 2020, Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was released in late May.
Pitching style
Jackson is one of a minority of MLB starting pitchers who relies almost exclusively on two pitches, a mid-90s fastball and an effective power slider. His four-seam fastball has good velocity, averaging about 95 mph. He also has a two-seamer with similar velocity. His primary weapon against right-handed hitters is a hard slurve in the upper 80s. Against left-handed hitters, he often uses a changeup and occasionally a curveball.
