Career

Milwaukee Brewers

Jeffress was the selected by the Milwaukee Brewers as the 16th overall pick in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed a contract with a $1.55 million signing bonus in 2006.

In 2008, he started on the Brevard County Manatees' roster on the restricted list. On August 6, the Milwaukee Brewers organization announced that Jeffress was promoted to their Double-A team, the Huntsville Stars. He began the 2009 season with Huntsville, but struggled and was sent back to Brevard County in May 2009. At the beginning of the 2010 campaign, Jeffress was sent down to the Class A affiliate, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

On July 1, 2010, Jeffress was called up to Class A-Advanced Brevard County, where he continued to throw out of the bullpen. He was later promoted to Huntsville. Jeffress was called up to the majors for the first time on September 1, 2010. He made his major league debut that evening, pitching one scoreless inning.

Kansas City Royals

On December 18, 2010 Jeffress was traded to the Kansas City Royals with Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, and Jake Odorizzi for Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt. In spring training in 2011, Jeffress led the major leagues in wild pitches, with 5 in 11 innings. He got his first win as a Royal on April 5 against the Chicago White Sox.

On November 2, 2012, the Royals designated Jeffress for assignment.

Toronto Blue Jays

On November 8, 2012, the Toronto Blue Jays received Jeffress from the Royals in exchange for cash considerations. Jeffress was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on April 6, 2013 after pitching in one game. Jeffress cleared waivers, and was assigned outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on April 16. Jeffress was sent to the Class A Dunedin Blue Jays on April 25 without having pitched for the Bisons. He was brought up to the Bisons on May 3. His contract was selected by the Blue Jays on September 3 after the Bisons season ended, and the major league rosters expanded.

Jeffress was designated for assignment after the game on April 4, 2014. On April 15, after clearing waivers, Jeffress was assigned to Buffalo; however, he chose free agency rather than report to Buffalo.

Return to the Milwaukee Brewers

Jeffress signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on April 18, 2014. He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.

2014 Season

The Brewers selected the contract of Jeffress from Nashville on July 21.

Jeffress thrived in his return to Milwaukee, emerging as a stellar setup-man to closer Francisco Rodriguez and posting a 1-1 record with a 1.88 ERA in 29 games.

2015 Season

After struggles from setup man Jonathan Broxton, Jeffress took over as the eight-inning man for Milwaukee.

2016 Season

Jeffress has been the closer for the Milwaukee Brewers this season.

Drug tests & health

On August 30, 2007, Jeffress was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for "a drug of abuse," which was reportedly marijuana. This was not his first positive test; he was given a warning for his first offense. In June 2009, he tested positive a third time and was suspended for 100 games. One more positive test will result in a lifetime ban for Jeffress.

In late June 2013 while with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Jeffress was diagnosed with juvenile epilepsy, which gave an explanation to the high anxiety and seizures that he had experienced through most of his adult life. Before receiving a proper diagnosis, he self-medicated with marijuana.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]