Jair Francoise Jurrjens (/ˈdʒaɪ.ər ˈdʒɜːrdʒənz/ JY-ər JUR-jənz; born January 29, 1986) is a Dutch-Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.
He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves (with whom he was an All Star in 2011), Baltimore Orioles, and Colorado Rockies, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions.
[5] He continued to improve during the 2006 season, beginning with a 5–0, 2.08 ERA start with the Lakeland Tigers that resulted in him being named to the Florida State League mid-season All Star team.
[7] He recorded his first major league win in his next start, also against the Indians, allowing only one run on one hit in 6+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Jurrjens pitched one inning against Puerto Rico in the WBC, giving up three runs and earning him a loss.
[9][10] On October 29, 2007, Jurrjens and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez were traded to the Atlanta Braves for shortstop Édgar Rentería.
Jurrjens was asked prior to the game on April 20 about how he felt facing his fellow countryman Andruw Jones.
[14] Jurrjens pitched well throughout the first half of the 2008 season, compiling a 9–4 record with an impressive 3.00 ERA prior to the All-Star Break.
[15] Jurrjens appeared to tire during the second half of the season, going 4–6 with a subpar 4.66 ERA after the All-Star Break.
Despite his impressive rookie season, some remained skeptical of Jurrjens's future prospects as a pitcher in the major leagues.
[6] He pitched his first career shutout on July 1, 2011, against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing one hit and one walk.
Atlanta's general manager, Frank Wren, stated that the move was intended to give Jurrjens the opportunity to work through his difficulties at the Triple-A level and get back on track pitching wise.
[26][27][28] On June 22, 2012, Jurrjens was called back to the majors by the Braves after teammate Brandon Beachy injured his right elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery.
Jurrjens was designated for assignment by the Orioles on July 12 in order to clear room for Jairo Asencio.
[38] On July 24, 2013, Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, and was subsequently assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.
[39] In 7 starts for Toledo, Jurrjens logged a 1–4 record and 5.49 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 39+1⁄3 innings pitched.
[41] On July 2, 2014, Jurrjens was traded to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor league first baseman Harold Riggins.
[42][43] Jurrjens made his 2014 season debut on July 4, making his first major league start since June 29, 2013,[44] pitching 4+2⁄3 innings and allowing eight runs on 12 hits.
[57] Jurrjens signed with the Tigres Del Licey in the Dominican Winter League for the 2017/18 season.
[58] On March 7, 2018, Jurrjens signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
On December 20, 2019, Jurrjens signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League for the 2020 season.
Jurrjens did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.