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-score lead against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. It wasn't easy as Jackson allowed a double and a walk, but 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.

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.

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.

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.

San Francisco Giants reliever Luke Jackson (back) landed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday. After facing only one batter, the right-hander was removed from Saturday's meeting with the Diamondbacks because of lower back tightness. Jackson, who signed a two-year, $11.5 million this offseason, has appeared in just nine games this season. However, he's been decent during those appearances, sporting a 2.16 ERA with 10 strikeouts. But considering his history of injuries, fantasy managers may have finally run out of patience. In a corresponding move, Ross Stripling (back) was activated from the IL after dealing with a back injury of his own since mid-May.

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Luke Jackson (elbow) missed all of last year while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery before signing a two-year deal with the Giants in January. He started a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose on May 14 and worked a scoreless inning while sitting at 95 mph with his fastball. Jackson moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Sacramento on May 17 and tossed two-thirds of an inning with two walks and a strikeout on May 21. The 31-year-old right-hander is scheduled to throw another rehab inning on Wednesday and will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list as early as May 29. Jackson is getting close to making his 2023 debut as bullpen depth for the Gigantes.

The San Francisco Giants have signed right-handed relief pitcher Luke Jackson to a two-year deal, per a tweet from the team's official Twitter account. The deal is worth $11.5 million and includes a $7 million club option for 2025. The 31-year-old didn't pitch in the Majors in 2022 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, but most recently appeared in 71 games for the Atlanta Braves during the 2021 season, logging a 1.98 ERA, a 3.66 FIP, and 70 strikeouts compared to 29 walks in 63.2 innings of work. He also added a pair of pitcher wins, and 31 holds in those 63.2 innings. As of now, San Francisco's late-inning bullpen options include Camilo Doval, John Brebbia, Tyler Rogers, and Taylor Rogers.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson (elbow) wrote in his personal Twitter account that he threw for the first time in six months on Wednesday since having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on April 13. Jackson is slowly working his way back from elbow reconstruction and is likely to be limited when spring training begins next year, but barring any setbacks, he should be able to return to Atlanta's bullpen at some point in 2023. The 31-year-old right-hander is also scheduled to become a free agent this winter, so he may have to prove his health first before another team invests in him. Jackson was excellent for the Braves last year, posting a 1.98 ERA (3.66 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings pitched in the regular season.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. The right-hander tore an ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will miss the entirety of the 2022 season. If his rehabilitation goes smoothly, he could be back in the majors at some point around the midpoint of the 2023 season. The 30-year-old was a strong bullpen arm for the Braves last year, pitching to a 1.98 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He led all Braves pitchers with 31 holds last season.

The Atlanta Braves placed relief pitcher Luke Jackson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list with a torn right ulnar collateral ligament on Sunday. In corresponding moves, the Braves selected reliever Darren O'Day's contract and optioned left-hander Kyle Muller to Triple-A Gwinnett. Jackson, who was outstanding for the Braves in a setup role last year during the regular season, will likely need to undergo Tommy John surgery, which will keep him out for all of this year and likely the beginning of the 2023 season as well. The 30-year-old righty had a 1.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 70 strikeouts and 29 walks in 63 2/3 innings of relief over 71 outings last year.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson (elbow) recently underwent an MRI exam that revealed damage to his ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm. Jackson is undergoing more evaluation to determine the next steps. The 30-year-old right-hander complained of forearm tightness this week, and he could be forced to miss significant time. UCL damage is often the precursor to Tommy John surgery, which would keep him out for all of this season and some of 2023 as well. Jackson had 18 saves for the Braves in 2019 and was outstanding in the regular season last year, posting a 1.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 70 strikeouts and 29 walks in 63 2/3 innings over 71 relief appearances for Atlanta. He's not a big fantasy guy as a setup man, but losing Jackson for a long period of time would be a blow to the Braves bullpen depth.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson has been placed on the paternity leave list on Thursday. He can be absent from the team up to three days, but often times players don't use that much time. In a corresponding move, right-hander Chris Martin (shoulder) has been activated from the 10-day injured list. He missed each of the last two weeks due to shoulder inflammation. Martin has a 4.17 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 27/6 K/BB ratio in 36 2/3 innings this year. There isn't much fantasy value here, but the Braves are certainly happy to have a fresh arm in their bullpen.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota. Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base. Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double. Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save. The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch. Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup. Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota. Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base. Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double. Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save. The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch. Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup. Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota. Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base. Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double. Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save. The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch. Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup. Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it... [More]