Jonathan Benjamin Edwards (born January 8, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, and Cleveland Indians. He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers.
Edwards attended Keller High School in Keller, Texas.
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Edwards in the 14th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft as an outfielder. He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Johnson City Cardinals. Edwards split the 2007 campaign between Johnson City and the Low-A Batavia Muckdogs, batting a cumulative .267/.357/.457 with eight home runs and 40 RBI.
Edwards spent the 2010 season with Low-A Batavia, playing in 43 games and hitting .180/.281/.295 with two home runs and 11 RBI. He was released by the Cardinals organization on October 8, 2010, without appearing in an MLB game for St. Louis.
Edwards spent the 2011 season playing independent league baseball for the San Angelo Colts of the United Baseball League and Alpine Cowboys of the Pecos League. He would be the first player from the Pecos League to ever play in MLB. In 25 appearances for the two teams, Edwards batted .227/.348/.467 with five home runs and 15 RBI.
Edwards signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers in 2012 and converted to a pitcher. Edwards was called up to the majors for the first time on August 15, 2014.
On August 20, 2015, Edwards was traded from the Rangers to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Will Venable. He made 11 appearances for San Diego, recording a 3.38 ERA with 16 strikeouts across innings pitched.
On June 2, 2016, Edwards underwent Tommy John surgery, ruling him out for the season. On December 20, Edwards re-signed with San Diego on a minor league contract. He was released prior to the start of the season on March 28, 2017.
On March 22, 2018, Edwards signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians promoted Edwards to the major leagues on September 1. In 9 appearances, he recorded a 3.12 ERA with 10 strikeouts over innings.
Edwards pitched in 9 games for Cleveland in 2019, posting a 2âÂÂ0 record and 2.25 ERA with 5 strikeouts across 8 innings pitched. On September 1, 2019, Edwards was designated for assignment. After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on September 3. Edwards elected free agency following the season on November 4.
On December 21, 2019, Edwards signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).