Detroit Tigers Jurrjens was signed as an international
free agent by the
Detroit Tigers in 2003. In seven games during his 2003 campaign with the rookie-level
Gulf Coast League Tigers, Jurrjens accumulated a 2–1 record with 20 strikeouts and just three
walks. Jurrjens broke out during his 2005 season with the
West Michigan Whitecaps, the Tigers' Single-A affiliate. In 26 games started, Jurrjens went 12–6 with 108 strikeouts and 36 walks. He was a mid-season
Midwest League All Star. He continued to improve during the 2006 season, beginning with a 5–0, 2.08
ERA start with the
Lakeland Tigers that resulted in him being named to the
Florida State League mid-season All Star team. On August 15, the Tigers purchased Jurrjens's contract from the SeaWolves, adding him to their 40-man roster. Jurrjens said he had three consecutive good starts, which led manager
Jim Leyland to call him up. Jurrjens was at a Circuit City when he found out he was going to the majors. In that game, he gave up four earned runs in seven innings, taking the loss. He recorded his first major league
win in his next start, also against Cleveland, allowing only one run on one hit in innings pitched.
Atlanta Braves On October 29, 2007, Jurrjens and outfielder
Gorkys Hernández were traded to the
Atlanta Braves for shortstop
Édgar Rentería. Jurrjens was listed by
Baseball America as the Braves' third-best prospect entering the 2008 season. By the end of April 2008, Jurrjens was 3–2 with a 3.05 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Jurrjens was asked prior to the game on April 20 about how he felt facing his fellow countryman
Andruw Jones. Jurrjens said, "It's going to be fun to face him", then added, "It's going to be even more fun to strike him out." Jurrjens then struck Jones out all three times he faced him. Jurrjens pitched well throughout the first half of the 2008 season, compiling a 9–4 record with an impressive 3.00 ERA prior to the All-Star Break. On July 9, Jurrjens was named
National League (NL)
Rookie of the Month for June. He appeared to tire during the second half of the season, going 4–6 with a subpar 4.66 ERA after the All-Star Break. Overall, Jurrjens finished his rookie season with a record of 13–10 and a 3.68 ERA in 188 innings. Jurrjens finished third in voting for the
NL Rookie of the Year award, finishing behind winner
Geovany Soto, with
Joey Votto finishing second. Despite his impressive rookie season, some remained skeptical of Jurrjens's future prospects as a pitcher in the major leagues. As a result, Jurrjens went into the 2009 season looking to avoid a "sophomore slump." Jurrjens again pitched very well in the first half of 2009, going just 7–7 but posting an excellent 2.91 ERA in 19 starts. Unlike 2008, there was no drop-off in the second half for Jurrjens, as he went 7–3 with an exceptional 2.24 ERA in 15 second-half starts. He was named the NL
Pitcher of the Month in September. Jurrjens went 7–6 with a 4.64 ERA in 2010, a season in which he dealt with some health problems. He underwent arthroscopic surgery for a
torn meniscus in his right knee in October, having missed September and the
NL Division Series with pain in his knee. Jurrjens began the 2011 season on the
disabled list (DL), but got off to a strong start after he was activated. He was named the NL Pitcher of the Month in May. It was his eleventh win of the season and improved his ERA to a league-best 1.89 ERA. Jurrjens led the NL in wins and ERA at the All-Star break, and was chosen to pitch in his only
All-Star Game. He tossed 1 scoreless innings in the NL's 5–1 win. Following the All-Star break, Jurrjens went 0–1 with a 6.26 ERA in four starts. On August 6, the Braves placed him on the 15-day DL due to pain in his surgically repaired right knee. The move was retroactive to August 2. Jurrjens got off to a poor start in the 2012 season, while suffering from a strained groin, with an 0–2 record and a 9.37 ERA in his first four starts. On April 23, he was optioned to the Braves' Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett, his first demotion in five seasons with the Braves. Atlanta general manager
Frank Wren stated that the move was intended to give Jurrjens the opportunity to work through his difficulties at the Triple-A level and get back on track pitching wise. On June 22, Jurrjens was called back to the majors by the Braves after pitcher
Brandon Beachy underwent
Tommy John surgery. Jurrjens got his first win of the season against the
Boston Red Sox. In 2012, he posted a 6.89 ERA.
Baltimore Orioles On January 24, 2013, Jurrjens agreed to a one-year deal with the
Baltimore Orioles for $1.5 million. Incentives could have brought the contract to $4 million. However, after the team reviewed Jurrjens's medical information, they instead signed Jurrjens to a minor league contract. The Orioles purchased Jurrjens's contract from Triple-A
Norfolk Tides on May 18. He made his first start with Baltimore that day, pitching 5 innings and not receiving a decision in an Orioles loss. He was optioned back to Norfolk on May 21, then recalled on June 29. He was optioned back to Norfolk on July 1. Jurrjens was
designated for assignment by the Orioles on July 12 to clear room for pitchers
Jairo Asencio. Jurrjens opted for free agency instead of playing in Triple-A, and became a free agent on July 18.
Detroit Tigers (second stint) On July 24, 2013, Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with the
Detroit Tigers, and was subsequently assigned to the
Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. In 7 starts for Toledo, Jurrjens logged a 1–4 record and 5.49 ERA with 24 strikeouts across innings pitched.
Cincinnati Reds On May 20, 2014, Jurrjens signed a minor league deal with the
Cincinnati Reds. He made 6 starts for the Triple-A
Louisville Bats and was 2–3 with a 4.46 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
Colorado Rockies On July 2, 2014, Jurrjens was traded to the
Colorado Rockies for minor league first baseman Harold Riggins. Jurrjens made his 2014 major league debut on July 4, his first MLB start since June 29, 2013, pitching innings and allowing eight runs on 12 hits. After the start, Jurrjens was taken to the hospital, though his "breathing problem" had since ceased. He said "It was super scary. Every time I needed to take a deep breath, I couldn't do it." Rockies manager
Walt Weiss said the altitude may have affected Jurrjens in his first appearance. Jurrjens was designated for assignment on July 21 and was re-signed to a minor league contract. In 2014, he was 0–1 with a 10.61 ERA for the Rockies in two starts and 0–5 with a 4.60 ERA for the Triple-A
Colorado Springs Sky Sox in eight starts. He was released by the Rockies on August 28, after posting a 2–5 record and a 6.88 ERA in 17 games for the Isotopes. He was on the disabled list twice, once with a groin injury, and was 6–7 with a 5.38 ERA. He was released on August 1.
Los Angeles Dodgers On March 29, 2017, Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers and was assigned to the Triple-A
Oklahoma City Dodgers to begin the season. He appeared in 11 games (10 starts) for Oklahoma City and was 4–3 with a 4.64 ERA. On June 15, he was suspended 80 games for testing positive for exogenous testosterone. On November 6, he elected free agency. Jurrjens pitched for
Tigres Del Licey in the
Dominican Winter League during the 2017–18 season.
Long Island Ducks On March 7, 2018, Jurrjens signed with the
Long Island Ducks of the independent
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 9 appearances for the Ducks, Jurrjens logged a 3–3 record and 3.55 ERA with 32 strikeouts in innings of work. He became a free agent following the 2018 season.
Guerreros de Oaxaca On December 20, 2019, Jurrjens signed with the
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the
Mexican League for the 2020 season. Jurrjens did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. He later became a free agent. On June 7, 2021, Jurrjens signed with the
Guerreros de Oaxaca of the
Mexican League. He made 7 starts, going 3–1 with a 4.26 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 38 innings. Jurrjens became a free agent following the season.
Acereros de Monclova On May 17, 2022, Jurrjens signed with the
Saraperos de Saltillo of the
Mexican League. However, he was released on May 25, without pitching in a game for the team. On July 1, Jurrjens signed with the
Acereros de Monclova of the
Mexican League. He made one scoreless appearance for Monclova and became a free agent following the season.
Olmecas de Tabasco On May 4, 2024, Jurrjens signed with the
Olmecas de Tabasco of the
Mexican League. He made one start for Tabasco, allowing four runs on four walks and one hit across innings. Jurrjens was released by the Olmecas on May 7.
Lincoln Saltdogs On April 16, 2025, Jurrjens signed with the
Lincoln Saltdogs of the
American Association of Professional Baseball. He made one start for Lincoln, taking the loss after allowing eight runs on seven hits with two strikeouts across innings pitched. ==International career==