Rangers reunite with reliever Luke Jackson on 1 year deal

The Rangers came to an agreement on a 1 year deal with Free Agent RHP Luke Jackson on Monday.

Things have now come full circle for the righty as he now rejoins the team that took him 45th overall in the 2010 draft. Jackson would then spend the next 4 years in the minors before making his debut with the club in 2015, but would only make 15 appearances with the Rangers between 2015 and 2016 in which he hand a woeful ERA of 8.50, before being shipped off to Atlanta in the following winter. 

Jackson then found himself as a full time member of the Braves bullpen for the next 5 years as he appeared in 238 games with his best one being in 2021 where he appeared in 71 games to the tune of an 1.98 ERA and would be an instrumental part of that World Series Champion Braves team. 

However prior to the 2022 season it was announced he needed Tommy John and would be sidelined until 2023. He then signed with the Giants on a 2 year contract and had a really good bounce back year which saw him post an 2.97 in 33 games but would regress in 2024 where he had an 5.09 in 52 appearances combined with the Giants and the Braves whom Jackson was traded back to during the season. 

Now, as the 33 year old enters his 10th MLB season, the Rangers are hoping he can be a reliable arm in a bullpen that’s been built over time after time again. Overall he’s got a career 4.24 ERA but has also shown glimpses of being a really good arm out of the bullpen that can get outs when you need them most and I’m sure that’s what bochy and company will be gunning for.

He will be a name to watch for to see how he’s progressing through spring and can hopefully be an arm that Bochy can rely on with the game on the line and bring some ease to the Rangers faithful that has always had their bullpen be a revolving door of pitchers and a real achilles heel to the Club. Hopefully will all the new pieces Chris Young has added to this bullpen they’ll be ready to compete for another title in 2024  

To make room for Luke Jackson on the 40-Man roster the Rangers have placed RHP Josh Sborz on the 60 Day IL who’s recovering from shoulder surgery which he had back in November.