SF Giants pitcher Luke Jackson to have MRI on back

Mar 29, 2024, 8:53 AM

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Luke Jackson (77) pitching at Petco Park on March 28, 2024 in San...

(Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

It was a rough Opening Day for the San Francisco Giants bullpen, as Logan Webb’s six-inning, two-run gem went to waste on Thursday afternoon.

The Giants took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning in San Diego, but the Padres tossed up a four-spot before turning the page to the eighth as San Francisco reliever Luke Jackson struggled to keep hitters off base.

Jackson, who is entering his second season with the Giants after posting a 2.97 ERA over 33 appearances in 2023, surrendered two hits, a walk, and three runs without recording an out as San Diego took control of the game for good.

The 32-year-old was forced to leave the game due to lower back tightness and could be placed on the 15-day injured list depending on the results of an MRI conducted following the game.

Luke Jackson exited the game after sustaining an apparent injury on this pitch pic.twitter.com/4P7Pp29O72

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) March 28, 2024

More from SF Giants pitcher Luke Jackson

“I wish we could have gotten Webby the ‘W’ and gotten us off to a great start,” Jackson said postgame.

“I thought we played great baseball today. The team looks great. All the guys [who] came in after looked great. Webby looked fantastic. It was just one of those days that the ball doesn’t go to the guys, and it’s part of it. I think if we keep playing this kind of ball, we’re going to win a lot of games.”

Jackson missed three weeks due to a back strain in 2023, but the right-hander is hopeful that this injury won’t keep him out as long.

“It doesn’t feel as bad as last year, so I’m hoping for the best and praying it’s nothing too bad,” Jackson said. “But you never know. I’m getting old these days, I guess.”

San Francisco’s pitching depth is already thin, with several arms already on the injured list, including starters Alex Cobb, Robbie Ray, and Tristan Beck, with other options like Sean Hjelle, Ethan Small, and Austin Warren already on the mend.