Free agent reliever Luke Jackson has signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers, the team announced on Monday. Jackson was originally drafted by the Rangers, selected 45th overall in the 2010 amateur draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2015. He appeared in 15 games for Texas before being traded to Atlanta after the 2016 season.
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 the Rangers’ World Series-clinching Game 5 victory over Arizona in 2023, is recovering from right shoulder surgery in November. He posted a 2-2 record with a 3.86 ERA in 17 appearances last season.
Jackson ended the 2024 season with Atlanta, compiling a 0-1 record and a 4.50 ERA over 16 appearances. He was traded back to the Braves at the trade deadline after spending part of the season with San Francisco, where he had a 4-2 record and a 5.40 ERA in 36 games.
Over his career, the 33-year-old right-hander has a 22-11 record with 19 saves and a 4.24 ERA in 338 relief appearances for the Rangers (2015-16), Braves (2017-21, 2024), and Giants (2023-24). Jackson was part of the Braves’ World Series championship in 2021, though he missed the 2022 season following Tommy John surgery.
