Luke Jackson, a free agent reliever, has signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers, the team announced on Monday. This marks a return to the organization that originally drafted him in 2010.
Jackson, a right-handed pitcher, was selected 45th overall by the Rangers in the 2010 amateur draft and made his major league debut with Texas in 2015. However, after appearing in just 15 games over two seasons, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves following the 2016 campaign.
To make room for Jackson on the roster, the Rangers placed reliever Josh Sborz on the 60-day injured list. Sborz, who recorded the save in Game 5 of Texas’ World Series-clinching victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023, is recovering from shoulder surgery performed in November. Last season, Sborz made 17 appearances, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.86 ERA.
Jackson spent last season splitting time between the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves. He began the year in San Francisco, where he made 36 appearances and recorded a 4-2 record with a 5.40 ERA before being dealt to the Braves at the trade deadline. In 16 outings with Atlanta, he went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA.
Over the course of his career, Jackson has pitched in 338 games out of the bullpen for the Rangers (2015-16), Braves (2017-21, 2024), and Giants (2023-24). He holds a 22-11 career record with 19 saves and a 4.24 ERA. His best season came in 2021 when he helped the Braves win the World Series, but he missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Now 33 years old, Jackson will look to provide depth to the Rangers’ bullpen as they defend their World Series title in 2024. His experience and past success could prove valuable as Texas looks to compensate for the loss of Sborz in the early part of the season.
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