Former Texas Rangers Luke Jackson is back with the Rangers on a one year deal
The Texas Rangers have signed free agent relief pitcher Luke Jackson to a one year deal, the team announced today. To make room for Jackson on the 40 man roster, the Rangers have placed pitcher Josh Sborz on the 60 day injured list.
Jackson was a supplemental first round pick of the Rangers back in 2010. He had a handful of appearances in 2015 and 2016 for the Rangers, though Jeff Banister’s failure to use Jackson during those seasons was probably more notable than anything Jackson did on the mound, as #CanLukeJacksonPitchNow became a hashtag and fans wondered why, with a thin and top-heavy pen, Jackson wasn’t getting more action.
Jackson ended up being dealt to the Atlanta Braves for Brady Feigl and Tyrell Jenkins after the 2016 season. Jackson pitched for the Braves from 2017-21, then missed all of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. Jackson signed a two year, $11.5 million deal with a $7 million 2025 club option with the Giants after the 2023 season. San Francisco dealt him to Atlanta, along with Jorge Soler, at the trade deadline in 2024, and the Braves declined his option, making him a free agent.
Jackson had a 2.97 ERA and 3.29 FIP in 33.1 IP in 33 appearances for San Francisco in 2023, but regressed in 2024, putting up a 5.09 ERA and 4.24 FIP in 53 innings over 52 appearances. Jackson strikes out guys at a good clip, walks too many batters, and can be a bit home prone.
I have not seen anything yet on how much the contract is for, but I would guess is around $2 million or so. Jackson joins fellow free agent signees Chris Martin, Jacob Webb, Shawn Armstrong and Hoby Milner in the mix for the Rangers’ bullpen, as well as Robert Garcia, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals in the Nathaniel Lowe trade.