Texas Rangers add another pitcher to bullpen ahead of first spring training game
With only a few days remaining before the start of the spring training exhibition schedule, the Texas Rangers continue to add pitchers to its reworked bullpen with the signing of right-handed pitcher Luke Jackson.
Jackson started his career with the Rangers, who drafted him with the No. 45 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, and made his MLB debut with the franchise during the 2015 season.
The reliever had a career-high 18 saves with the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and was part of the team when they won the 2021 World Series.
Jackson said he was excited to be back with the Rangers organization.
“Excited. It was top of my list to come back, it was really cool to fly around the sun and come back again which is kinda rare,” said Jackson, “I think this team is very good, I think their commitment to winning is pretty cool.”
Jackson gives the Rangers another potential closer as the team looks to replace last year’s saves leader Kirby Yates, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency.
The Rangers will play the Kansas City Royals in their first spring training game at 2:05 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at Surprise Stadium.
Robert Garcia injury update
The Rangers held pitcher Robert Garcia out at the onset of spring training with a nerve irritation in his forearm and manager Bruce Bochy said the team is being cautious.
“We just wanted to reassure him we have time, he came out with his heels kicking yesterday...wants to face hitters right away and we’re just going to give him a few more days just being on the cautious side. He’s new, sure he wants to make an impression, he doesn’t want to feel like he has the possibility of getting behind, so we just wanted to reassure him hey you‘re on this team,” said Bochy, “ Now’s not the time to push anything. We’re talking two or three, maybe, extra days that’s all.”
Garcia, acquired in a trade with the Washington Nationals, went 3-6 with a 4.22 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 16 walks in 72 appearances.
Jacob deGrom returns to the rotation
After missing the lion’s share of the past two seasons the Rangers will start this year with Jacob deGrom back in the rotation and Bochy said he was excited for his return.
“He’s totally healthy, he’s good to go and all that right now, we’re looking forward to having him in this rotation,” said Bochy, “He feels great right now, he’s in a really good place and you’ll see one of the best pitchers in the game if he stays healthy.”
Last season, deGrom pitched in three games during the 2024 season after missing the majority of the year recovering from surgery to repair a torn ulterior cruciate ligament.
The Rangers hope deGrom can return to his 2023 form where he was 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA with 45 strikeouts and four walks in six appearances.
Spring training schedule
Friday, Feb. 21 at Kansas City, 2:05 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. San Francisco, 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 23 at Chicago 2:05 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 24 at Chicago 2:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 25 vs. Kansas City 2:05 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Cleveland 2:05 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 27 vs. Seattle 2:05 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Chicago 2:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 at Milwaukee 2:10 p.m.
Sunday, March 2 vs. Arizona 2:05 PM
Monday, March 3 at Kansas City 2:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 4 vs. Athletics 2:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 5 at Cincinnati 2:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 6 vs. San Diego 2:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 6 at Los Angeles Dodgers 2:05 p.m.
Friday, March 7 at Colorado 7:40 PM
Saturday, March 8 vs. Kansas City 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 9 at Arizona 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 11 vs. Los Angeles Angels 3:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 12 vs. Cincinnati 3:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 13 at San Francisco 3:05 p.m.
Friday, March 14 vs. Colorado 8:05 p.m.
Friday, March 14 at San Diego 8:40 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 at Athletics 3:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 16 vs. Chicago 3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 18 vs. Cleveland 8:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19 at Seattle 3:10 p.m.
Thursday, March 20 vs. Colorado 8:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 20 at San Diego 8:40 p.m.
Friday, March 21 at Los Angeles Angels 2:10 p.m.
Saturday, March 22 vs. Kansas City 2:05 p.m.
Monday, March 24 vs. Kansas City 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 25 vs. Kansas City 1:35 p.m.
