AL DIVISION SERIES: TIGERS VS GUARDIANS

October 8, 2024

Jackson Jobe

Comerica Park

Detroit Tigers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Jackson, how you doing?

JACKSON JOBE: I'm doing well. How you doing?

Q. I'm doing okay, man. Hey, I'm curious to know how you're doing with staying ready. This is obviously a different role for you. It's a lot more -- I mean, maybe it's more throwing, maybe it's less throwing. How are you able to kind of make sure that you're ready to go whenever they need you to go in the next two days here?

JACKSON JOBE: Yeah. I think it's just a matter of staying ready, listening to my body as far as how much throwing I should do that day. But, I mean, as a starter I was built up to 100 pitches. I was throwing 100 pitches a few times out there towards the end.

So I think my body and my arm is in pretty good shape. So I just kind of stay ready. I don't get too into depth with trying to be perfect each day with how many throws I'm doing or whatever. Just listen to my body and be ready to go for whenever my name is called.

Q. How are you dealing with just -- I know how badly you want to get back out there, you know what I mean, and have a clean inning or two. How are you dealing with the hitter gets to go into bat the next game; you gotta kind of wait?

JACKSON JOBE: Yeah. I mean, just part of the game. Obviously, I want to get back in there, get another opportunity; but at the same point, I like watching our guys shut it out. I like going out there and watching Skubal going seven shutty and Vest and Bo come in there and shut the door. There's nothing more fun than winning. I know I'll get my turn when it's time.

Q. Jackson, thanks for doing this. I'm curious, starters are so routine oriented, having a daily plan and everything. I think we talked about this the other day a little bit, but how has the process been adjusting away from that and going to a role where your daily work looks completely different from what you would have been used to?

JACKSON JOBE: Yeah. I think a lot of times guys get very caught up in the routine, and I'm definitely a victim of that being a starter and having, like, me doing the same thing every single day, doing the same thing every single start day, like, not missing a beat minute by minute.

And I think being in the bullpen has taught me that it really doesn't need to be like that. Like you don't have a whole lot of time to get ready when your name is called. Obviously, you're moving around in between innings, but when your name is called, you pick up the ball and you start moving around. And really just the adrenaline kind of takes over, and you get out there, and you really you feel great.

So I think that's something I've learned is obviously the routine is important, especially having an overly long season, but it doesn't always need to be perfect.

Q. Has there been anybody out there in particular who has helped either give you tips or kind of given you guidance, hey, watch how much you throw, or, hey, this might be a good opportunity for you to get some throwing in? Because there seems like a few guys out there who have kind of made that -- who have been starters, in fact, for much of this year, who have had to go through that same process.

JACKSON JOBE: Yeah. I think there's a few guys out there right now that are kind of in the same boat as me, still kind of learning. But as far as anyone specifically, like I've just kind of been asking around, you know, like, hey, how many times did you touch the mound this week? What do you do on this day after you throw? Just asking different guys different questions, just picking kind of everyone's brain.

But kind of like I mentioned, like, it's really not that complicated. It's the same game. Like, I'm going to do all my prep work before the game, get the body right and then go out there and kind of just read the game as it's going, moving around a little bit. But overall, the body is going to be ready when that phone rings.

Q. And lastly from me, have you been responsible for the bullpen backpack with stuff to take out there, and how much have you learned about just how much stuff the relievers take out there for a game?

JACKSON JOBE: Yeah, I have been in charge of the bullpen bags. So I gotta make sure that thing is out there and make sure I bring it in before we hit the road. Yeah, just part of the rookie duties. I was the last guy to get here in the bullpen, the newest member. So that's my duty right now.

Q. Just treats and gear and everything?

JACKSON JOBE: The bullpen -- oh, yeah. I do pack a snack bag, and then we got like rosin and Advil, eyedrops. Things like that that I put -- that we put in the bullpen bag to have out there.

Q. You mentioned Skubal and watching him. He's left-handed, you're right-handed, but you're both power guys essentially. What can you take, what have you taken and what have you taken just from his fire? You pitch with a lot of fire, too. But, I mean, can you take something from his kind of demeanor, his mound presence as well?

JACKSON JOBE: I mean, yeah. I think he's a good example of what every starting pitcher wants to be. I mean, he's the best pitcher in baseball, hands down. It's not even a question.

So, yeah, having a guy like that on your team, just being able to watch it, I mean, it's pretty special. He goes out there, he gets into it. He takes everything personal. He goes after guys. So, yeah, I mean it's just -- it's just fun to watch, really.

Q. Jackson, just back on your routine for a second. I'm curious if as you've adapted here if there's anything specific that you really had to be like, you know what? I really don't have time for this anymore, or anything you've had to punctualize?

JACKSON JOBE: Yeah. I think really the first thing that comes to mind is like part of my weighted ball routine that kind of is long that I do on my start days, I really don't have time to do when my name is called. I do an abbreviated version. It takes all of 30 seconds. So pretty easy adjustment there.