Phillies' Jackson Rutledge leaves MLB for Japan after injury setback
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 10:30 AM
Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Jackson Rutledge has left Major League Baseball to join the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies. His career faced challenges after an undisclosed injury while he was with the Phillies. Rutledge, the 17th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, was previously with the Washington Nationals before being claimed by Philadelphia. He did not pitch in any major league games with the Phillies, logging only 10 minor league innings. His departure marks a significant turn in his career path as he seeks to revitalize it in Japan.
- •Rutledge was the 17th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
- •He logged only 10 minor league innings with the Phillies.
- •Rutledge joined the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks after leaving MLB.
- •He was designated for assignment by the Nationals before being claimed by Philadelphia.
- •His time with the Phillies was impacted by an undisclosed injury.
- 10:30 AMYahoo Sports — Phillies Castoff, Former First-Round Pick Leaves MLB After ‘Undisclosed’ Setback
"The Philadelphia Phillies have seen a promising young player leave Major League Baseball entirely after a mysterious issue.
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