Luke Jackson Optimistic After Taking Line Drive Off His Hand
Texas Rangers closer Luke Jackson's hand is still swollen on Tuesday, but he's very optimistic after taking a comebacker off his hand in Monday's contest against the visiting Colorado Rockies. The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant reports that Jackson has a decent amount of strength and is squeezing a stress ball after initial X-rays on Monday night came back negative for any fractures or breaks. It sounds as though the 33-year-old veteran should avoid a trip to the injured list, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he's not available if a save situation arises again on Tuesday. Jacob Webb replaced Jackson on Monday night in the 2-1 win for his first save of the year, but Texas could give Chris Martin or Robert Garcia the save opportunity on Tuesday if Jackson is unavailable. The main takeaway is that Jackson shouldn't be forced to miss extended time.
Luke Jackson Leaves After Being Hit In Arm By Comebacker
Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Luke Jackson (arm) was hit by a comebacker on his right arm on Monday in his outing against the visiting Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Field and immediately exited the game with trainer Matt Lucero, according to the Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland. The 33-year-old veteran was being deployed in save situation in a 2-1 game in the top of the ninth inning but was hit by a liner off the bat of Ryan McMahon. Jacob Webb replaced Jackson and locked down the 2-1 win for his first save of 2025. Jackson gave up a hit and didn't record an out before leaving. The Rangers will most likely put him through tests to determine the severity of his arm injury. If it's serious and he's forced to miss extended time, the Rangers could mix and match in the ninth inning with names like Webb, Chris Martin or Robert Garcia. UPDATE: X-rays came back negative on Jackson's arm. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Jackson's arm swelled up quickly. He could still need a stint on the injured list, but the team will know more on Tuesday. Stay tuned.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Luke Jackson closed the door on the Reds on Wednesday afternoon in Cincinnati. Jackson entered a 1-0 game at the start of the ninth inning and gave up a single to TJ Friedl. With the tying run on base, he struck out Matt McLain and got Elly De La Cruz to ground out to 2B to close out the victory, as the Rangers improved to 5-2 on the season. Jackson has now made four appearances this season and has bounced back nicely after taking the loss on Opening Day. He has closed out all three of his save opportunities and remains the team's primary closer, although Chris Martin is also a secondary option with a save and two holds in his 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the early part of the season.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Luke Jackson was called upon to protect a one-run lead against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. It wasn't easy, as Jackson allowed a double and a walk, but he was able to work out of the jam. He struck out Alex Bregman to end the game and earned his second save of the season. It was unclear who would be the closer heading into the season, but it appears Jackson is the favorite right now. He has worked in three of the first four games of the season. That being said, it wouldn't be shocking to see Jackson unavailable on Monday. If that happens, Chris Martin or Marc Church could be asked to take the mound in his absence if a save situation arises.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Luke Jackson closed out the team's 6-3 victory over the Royals on Tuesday night, earning a save with a perfect ninth inning. Chris Martin pitched the eighth inning in what could be a preview of how the Rangers will line up their bullpen to start the season. Both pitchers were very effective, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts each. Jackson allowed just two hits and one walk in six scoreless innings this spring, picking up nine strikeouts and making a strong case to be the team's closer to start the season.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Luke Jackson could be in the mix for saves in 2025. Manager Bruce Bochy said things will be "pretty close" to how he used the bullpen in Monday's 6-3 win over the Royals, where Robert Garcia pitched the 7th, Chris Martin pitched the 8th, and Jackson picked up the save in the 9th. This news comes as a surprise, with the job being primarily considered as a two-way competition between Garcia and Martin up until this point. Bochy did clarify that the roles aren't defined, so it's still likely that all three see save chances at some point. Jackson split 2024 between the Giants and Braves, where he posted a 5.09 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 59 strikeouts and 26 walks in 53 innings. It's unlikely he will become a dominant reliever in 2025, but this bullpen situation is definitely one to monitor.
The Texas Rangers announced on Monday that they signed free-agent right-handed reliever Luke Jackson to an undisclosed one-year deal for the 2025 season. Jackson will now return to Texas after the organization drafted him 45th overall in the first round in 2010. The 33-year-old spent the first two years of his MLB career with the Rangers before joining the Atlanta Braves for the next five seasons. He spent 2024 with the San Francisco Giants and Braves, going 4-3 with a 5.09 ERA (4.24 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 59 strikeouts and 26 walks in 53 relief innings. Fantasy managers can ignore Jackson in the vast majority of formats this year, as he'll likely settle in as more of a low-leverage middle reliever for the Rangers. He has a 4.24 career ERA with a 1.45 WHIP, 19 saves, a 24.4% strikeout rate and a 10.0% walk rate in nine seasons in the majors. Eighteen of Jackson's saves came in 2019 with Atlanta.
Jorge Soler, Luke Jackson Not Expected To Report To Braves On Tuesday
Outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler and right-handed reliever Luke Jackson are not expected to report to the Atlanta Braves and be added to the roster ahead of Tuesday night's game against the hosting Milwaukee Brewers. The Braves acquired Soler and Jackson from the San Francisco Giants on Monday night in exchange for lefty reliever Tyler Matzek and third base prospect Sabin Ceballos. Soler and Jackson could join the Braves for their debuts in the series finale in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Both players are familiar with Atlanta after having already played for them. The 32-year-old Soler is having a disappointing 2024 season with just 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 341 at-bats after clubbing 36 long balls a year ago in Miami. Hopefully, the move back to Atlanta will spark his bat. Soler is expected to see most of his playing time in right field with the Braves.
The San Francisco Giants reinstated relief pitcher Luke Jackson from the paternity list on Thursday. Jackson wasn't available for the series this week against the San Diego Padres, but he'll be in the team's bullpen for the final series of the regular season against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers with nothing on the line for either club. In his first year in the Bay Area, the 32-year-old veteran right-hander has been solid for the Gigantes, going 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA (3.28 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, 15 walks and 43 strikeouts in 33 1/3 relief innings.
Sean Hjelle Recalled As Luke Jackson Lands On Paternity List
The San Francisco Giants recalled right-hander Sean Hjelle on Monday to take the roster spot of right-hander Luke Jackson, who was placed on the paternity list. Hjelle will bolster the bullpen for the Giants while Jackson is away from the team. Hjelle has made 13 appearances in 2023, posting a 2-1 record and an 8.10 ERA across 23 1/3 innings of work. Jackson should be back with the Giants by the end of the week.
Luke Jackson
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