Jeffress is signing with the Mexico City Diablos, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The 34-year-old righty will be the highest paid reliever in the Mexican League and one of the top three highest paid pitchers. Jeffress most recently pitched in MLB with the Cubs in 2020.
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Jeremy Jeffress: Cut by Washington
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Jeffress was released by the Nationals on Sunday, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander was being talked up by manager Dave Martinez only a couple days ago, so it's curious to see him let go so early in camp. Jeffress was apparently throwing well but had yet to pitch in any spring games for the Nationals before being released.
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Nationals' Jeremy Jeffress: Closing in on game action
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Jeffress could be ready to pitch in spring games after a couple more batting practice sessions, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "Here's a guy that came to Spring Training, he's ready," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday. "The first time I saw him throw, he threw the ball really well. I asked him, 'Have you been throwing?' He said, 'Yeah, religiously.' He looks great."
The veteran reliever had to settle for a minor-league deal in February despite posting sub-2.00 ERAs and sub-1.00 WHIPs in two of the last three seasons, as his velocity and strikeout numbers have both been trending down. If Jeffress is healthy and effective this spring though, he could become part of the Nats' set-up crew in front of Brad Hand.
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Nationals' Jeremy Jeffress: Joins Nationals on minors deal
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Jeffress signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
It's something of a surprise that the veteran righty had to settle for a minor-league deal, as his 1.54 ERA last season marked the second time in three years that he finished well below 2.00 in that category. His 17:12 K:BB in 23.1 innings suggests he got rather lucky, though his groundball-heavy profile means he's frequently outperformed the ERA estimators. The Nationals probably can't expect another season with an ERA quite so low, but it would be a surprise if Jeffress fails to emerge from camp with a spot on the big-league roster, assuming his stuff isn't diminished. The presence of Brad Hand means he doesn't have a clear path to add to his 52 career saves early on, though he could be one of the top alternatives should Hand get hurt or struggle.
Jeffress worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Friday's 1-0 win over the Twins.
Jeffress walked speedy leadoff hitter Byron Buxton, but a double play quickly erased that threat. He then walked the dangerous Nelson Cruz but struck out Eddie Rosario to record his eighth save in 10 chances this season. Rowan Wick and Craig Kimbrel are also seeing some save opportunities in Chicago, but Jeffress has been effective with a 1.69 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, and the veteran reliever leads the team in saves with Wick behind him with four.
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Cubs' Jeremy Jeffress: Blows save chance
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Jeffress (4-1) allowed two earned runs on two walks and one hit to blow the save Tuesday against Cleveland. However, he did earn the win.
Jeffress entered the game in the ninth inning to protect a 5-3 lead. However, he walked the leadoff batter and then allowed a two-run home run to Francisco Lindor to blow the save. Jeffress has earned the majority of saves since the middle of August, though Craig Kimbrel did convert an opportunity on Saturday against Milwaukee. It remains to be seen how manager David Ross decides to divide the closer role to end the campaign, though Jeffress has maintained a very solid 1.86 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 19.1 innings.
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Cubs' Jeremy Jeffress: Picks up another save
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Jeffress earned the save against Cincinnati on Thursday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.
The right-hander's successful run as closer continued against the Reds as he allowed only a harmless infield single in the nine-pitch outing. Since suffering his only blown save of the season Aug. 19, Jeffress has thrown seven scoreless innings across six appearances while picking up five saves and a win. His 3.8 BB/9 on the season is slightly concerning, but as long as Jeffress continues to get the job done he should continue to function as the primary closer for Chicago.
Jeffress earned the save Tuesday after throwing a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds. He struck out one batter.
Brian Goodwin got aboard via a one-out single, but Jeffress easily worked around him to preserve the shutout for the Cubs. Jeffress has taken over as the No. 1 closing option for Chicago, earning each of the team's last four saves to bring his total to six, after Rowan Wick earned four saves from Aug. 1 to Aug. 18 following Craig Kimbrel's removal from the ninth-inning role.
Jeffress pitched a scoreless ninth inning with one walk and one strikeout to earn the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals.
Jeffress struck out Dylan Carlson to begin his appearance, but walked Kolten Wong. He then erased that mistake by getting Tommy Edman to ground into a double play. Jeffress now has five saves in 14 appearances this season, four of which have come in his last six outings. He appears to have taken over for Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning. Rowan Wick is also in the closer conversation, but he earned the hold Friday with a scoreless eighth inning. Jeffress has a 1.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 11 strikeouts across 16 innings this season.
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Cubs' Jeremy Jeffress: Nabs win in extras
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Jeffress (3-1) recorded the win in Tuesday's 8-7 victory over the Pirates in 11 innings, walking one and striking out two over 1.2 scoreless frames.
After Pittsburgh scored to tie things back up in the bottom of the 10th off Josh Osich, Jeffress entered the game and got Erik Gonzalez to line into an inning-ending double play on his first pitch. The right-hander then held the Bucs in check in the 11th for the win. Jeffress has only been scored upon twice in 13 appearances this season, leading to an impressive 1.20 ERA and 0.80 WHIP through 15 innings, and he's made his outings count with three wins, three holds and four saves.
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Cubs' Jeremy Jeffress: Grabs fourth save
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Jeffress walked one and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning Saturday to record his fourth save of the season in the first game of a doubleheader against the Reds.
He continues to trade save chances with Rowan Wick, and the two right-handers are now tied for the club lead with four saves apiece. Jeffress has a strong 1.35 ERA and 0.83 WHIP through 13.1 innings, but his 8:6 K:BB suggests his hold on a high-leverage job may be shaky.
Cubs' Jeremy Jeffress: Shuts down White Sox Sunday
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Jeffress logged 1.1 scoreless innings to record the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the White Sox. He allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one.
Jeffress was asked to record the final four outs of the game, and while things got dicey in the ninth with the White Sox loading the bases with two outs, the veteran reliever was able to escape with his third save. Jeffress has been good for the Cubs, as he lowered his ERA to 1.46 with the scoreless effort, and he should continue sharing the closer role with Rowan Wick and potentially Craig Kimbrel.
