Luke Jackson’s second stint with the Atlanta Braves has come to a close, as the right-handed reliever has signed a major league contract with the Texas Rangers, the team that originally selected him in the first round of the 2010 draft out of high school.
Jackson was dealt to the Braves by the Rangers in 2016 and made his Atlanta debut in 2017. Following an up-and-down start to his tenure, he emerged as a reliable late-inning reliever in 2019, unexpectedly recording 18 saves. He faced difficulties during the shortened 2020 season but bounced back in 2021, resembling his 2019 performance.
After sitting out the 2022 season following Tommy John surgery, Jackson signed with the San Francisco Giants and pitched for them before rejoining Atlanta last summer in the trade that also brought Jorge Soler back to the Braves.
After a rough start following his return to Atlanta, Jackson finished the season on a high note, surrendering just one earned run over his final eight outings while recording 13 strikeouts.
While a return to the Braves in 2025 was unlikely, Atlanta’s lack of major league bullpen additions left a small window of possibility. With the Rangers, Jackson aims to strengthen a bullpen that lost, among others, former Brave Kirby Yates. He will be joined by two other ex-Braves—Chris Martin and Jacob Webb—who also signed with Texas.
Over six seasons with Atlanta, Jackson pitched in 254 games, averaging an even 10 strikeouts per nine innings while recording 19 saves and accumulating 2.8 fWAR.
