DETROIT -- Luke Jackson recorded five outs against Tigers hitters to help keep the Rangers close against Tarik Skubal last Sunday night at Globe Life Field. As Skubal prepared for his next start, Saturday at Comerica Park, Jackson was in Detroit's clubhouse and available in the bullpen.
The Tigers signed Jackson to a one-year contract on Saturday, two days after the Rangers released the veteran reliever. Detroit will owe him the prorated portion of the MLB minimum salary after Texas ate the remainder of the $1.5 million salary it owed Jackson for the season.
Jackson will fill the bullpen spot left open by Geoff Hartlieb, who was designated for assignment on Saturday after just two outings and two runs over as many innings. Hartlieb was called up Thursday to replace Carlos Hernández, who was designated for assignment on Thursday.
More bullpen churn could be coming with the Trade Deadline looming next Thursday. But for now, the 33-year-old Jackson will get a shot to find a role for a contending team.
The Rangers signed Jackson to a one-year contract in February, reuniting with their former first-round pick from the 2010 MLB Draft. He became the closer for the first month of the season, recording eight saves over his first 12 appearances while Texas dealt with injuries elsewhere in its bullpen. After some difficult outings, the Rangers went with a bullpen by committee, and Jackson went back to his usual role as a setup man capable of pitching anywhere from the sixth inning to the end of the game.
Jackson suffered a dramatic drop in his strikeout rate this year; his 6.2 K/9 ratio is far below his 9.4 career rate. His 22.4 percent whiff rate ranks in the 28th percentile among MLB pitchers this season, a far cry from the 29.7 percent rate that ranked in the 81st percentile last season. His slider, the primary pitch for much of his MLB career, has been less effective this season, with a 26.5 percent whiff rate and a 91.3 mile-per-hour average exit velocity. His fastball has also had a drop in whiff rate, but it has been more effective even when put in play.
The Tigers could look to get that slider back to its old form, but that could depend on how long Jackson is with them. If Detroit adds multiple relievers at the Trade Deadline, the club will have to figure out who to drop to make room. For the minimum salary, however, Jackson is worth a look, especially for a reliever with postseason experience. He was a key part of Atlanta’s bullpen during its run to the World Series in 2021, then returned to toss two innings against the Padres during the NL Wild Card Series last October.