CHICAGO -- To fill at least part of their starting pitching need, the A's will turn to much-traveled veteran right-hander Edwin Jackson.
Jackson joined the team Sunday and will start the opener of a four-game series at Detroit on Monday. The 34-year-old made three starts for Triple-A Nashville earlier this month after signing a Minor League deal.
The A's will be Jackson's 13th Major League team, tying former reliever Octavio Dotel's record.
"I'm probably the only guy in the clubhouse that has never met him, but I did earlier today," manager Bob Melvin said before the finale of the four-game series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
"He obviously gets along with people if he's moved around as much as he has. It was an easy conversation. He's appreciative of being here. I don't think he's worn white shoes before, so this is a first for him. I know he's excited about getting an opportunity tomorrow."
Jackson made his debut with the Dodgers in September 2003. He has made 288 starts in the Majors and has a career record of 98-120 with a 4.67 ERA. He was 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA in the three starts with Nashville, allowing 12 hits and seven runs over 15 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and eight walks.
"He's pitched pretty well," Melvin said. "The last outing was good. I think he's had one that was not so good and a couple that were good. I don't think it's as much about that as it is about making sure his pitch count is there, and he's ready to go out there and give you a full complement."
Melvin said he admired the fact that Jackson was willing to go to the Minors.
"It means that he loves baseball, and there's a certain passion for it," the manager said. "At some point and time in your career, do you really want to go back to the Minor Leagues? But obviously, he loves the game enough, and he believes in himself enough that he's gonna get another opportunity, and here it is."

The A's haven't announced a move to make room for Jackson on the active roster, but it appears possible that Daniel Mengden will be placed on the disabled list. The right-hander had to leave his start on Saturday after just two innings because of a right foot sprain. Mengden flew back to Oakland on Sunday to be examined.
"He'll get checked out at home, and we'll see where we go from there," Melvin said. "Obviously, he's had an injury on that foot before. It is a different injury, though. The way things have been going, though, I certainly have my fingers crossed. We'll know a little bit more in the next couple of days."