Rangers reunite with former 2010 first-round draft pick after 2016 departure

It's another reliever reunion for the Texas Rangers, this time adding a former draft pick to the fold as spring training enters the first full week of action.

Luke Jackson, the Rangers first round pick back in 2010, joins Texas on a one-year contract after spending last year with the Atlanta Braves. In a corresponding move, the Rangers placed Josh Sborz on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

Jackson is a nine-year veteran in Major League Baseball having pitched for Texas, Atlanta and the San Francisco Giants. In 330 games, the 33-year-old has a 4.24 career ERA, 386 strikeouts and 19 saves.

His two years as a Ranger could've been smoother and was short lived after making his debut in 2015. After posting a 8.50 ERA in 15 games in 2015-16 he was traded to the Braves during the 2016 offseason.

Jackson is four years removed from the best season of his career with the Braves in 2021 and was an instrumental piece of their bullpen during their championship run. Jackson will look to make a resurgence and became a key arm for Bruce Bochy to rely on.

If he has a strong bounce back to his career, he will be a welcomed to a bullpen that is in need of experienced arms. His 19 career saves ranks third best on the team's roster, so his late-game high-leverage experience will be positive.

Since the start of the month, Texas has reunited with former relievers Joe Barlow and Matt Festa as well as added a former Seattle Mariner relief arm, all on minor league deals with spring training invites.