00:00 – Rangers Activate Jon Gray & Luke Jackson – Injured Relievers Reinvited
04:47 – Jon Gray’s Impactful Return to the Rangers Bullpen
08:11 – Jon Gray’s Intense Return to Rangers: A New Bullpen Weapon
1. Rangers Activate Jon Gray & Luke Jackson – Injured Relievers Reinvited
The Rangers announced Wednesday that they’ve reinstated right-hander Jon Gray (https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grayjo02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-07-23_br) from the 60-day injured list. To make space on the active and 40-man rosters, reliever Luke Jackson (https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=jackslu01,jackso007luk,jackso008luk&search=Luke+Jackson&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-07-23_br) has been designated for assignment. Gray, 33, is in the final season of a four-year, $56MM contract signed in free agency. He’s been a solid if unspectacular presence in the middle of the Texas rotation, tossing a combined 387 1/3 innings of 4.16 ERA ball while fanning 22.4% of his opponents versus a 7.5% walk rate. Gray has yet to pitch this season after suffering a fracture when a comeback line-drive struck him in the forearm late in spring training.
2. Jon Gray’s Impactful Return to the Rangers Bullpen
In this video, we dive into Jon Gray’s thrilling return to the Texas Rangers as a key bullpen reliever. Discover how his performance in the recent game against the A’s showcased his potential to be a game-changer for the team. We’ll analyze his pitching style, the significance of his role, and what it means for the Rangers’ playoff hopes. Join us as we break down the highlights, key plays, and the overall vibe of the team as they push for a wild card spot!
3. Jon Gray’s Intense Return to Rangers: A New Bullpen Weapon
Discover how Jon Gray’s return to the Texas Rangers in a bullpen role is providing a significant upside. With his powerful pitching and the team’s hot streak, the Rangers are looking strong in playoff contention. Watch highlights and analysis of Gray’s season debut and the impact on the team’s bullpen strategy. #JonGray #TexasRangers #MLB
Rangers activate John Gray and Luke Jackson. Injured relievers reinvited in a significant move that has caught the attention of baseball fans. The Texas Rangers have officially announced the activation of right-headed pitcher John Gray from the 60-day injured list. This decision was made public on Wednesday. And to accommodate Gray’s return on both the active and 40man rosters, the team has designated reliever Luke Jackson for assignment. John Gray, who is now 33 years old, is currently in the concluding year of a 4-year contract worth $56 million that he signed during free agency. Throughout his time with the Rangers, he has been a reliable, if not particularly flashy, member of the starting rotation. Over his tenure, he has pitched a total of 387 and 1/3 innings, maintaining a respectable earned run average, erra, of 4.16. His performance includes striking out 22.4% of the batters he has faced while keeping his walk rate at a manageable 7.5%. Unfortunately, Gray has yet to take the mound this season due to a fracture he sustained when a line drive hit his forearm during spring training. As of now, it remains uncertain when Gray will rejoin the rotation or if he will even do so at all. Earlier in the offseason, the Rangers had contemplated the possibility of utilizing him as a reliever, especially considering the overall strength of their starting rotation. Among the current starters, Kumar Rocker has been the least effective. Yet, he has recently shown improvement with a 3.34 RA over his last six outings. Jack Lighter has also been performing well lately. There were whispers of potential trades involving Gray during the winter months, but his value has likely diminished due to his absence from the field this season. For the time being, there is no immediate urgency to determine Gray’s role. He last pitched on July 19th, meaning his next scheduled turn in the rotation is not yet due. Additionally, the Rangers have a day off tomorrow, providing them with extra time to strategize. Tonight, Patrick Corin will take the mound against the Oakland Athletics, while Rocker is expected to pitch on Friday with a TBD starter for Saturday and lighter slated for Sunday. Gray’s return coupled with the off day could influence the team’s plans moving forward. On the other hand, Luke Jackson, also 33, has been leading the Rangers in saves with a total of nine. However, his performance has not been particularly impressive as he currently holds a 4.11 ERA. His statistics suggest that he may have been fortunate to maintain that number given that his strikeout rate of 15.8% ranks as the eighth lowest among the 175 major league relievers who have pitched at least 30 innings this season. Furthermore, only 17 of those relievers have a higher walk rate than Jackson’s 12.5%. And he has also hit two batters. Advanced metrics such as FIP 5.01 and CRA 4.79 indicate a less than favorable outlook on his performance. The Rangers had signed Jackson to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million during free agency, and he has already earned $450,000 in incentives based on his appearances. He is just one game away from triggering a $175,000 buns. But if the Rangers were to release him from the incend of duties, he would be destined to play in that contract at since September 1st. Jackson has received bonuses for reaching various game thresholds. $75,000 for 20 games, $100,000 for 25 games, $500,000 for 30 games, $125,000 for 40 games, and $150,000. The Rangers now have a 5-day window to either trade Taxan, place him on outright waiverss, or release him. Given his service time, he has the right to reject an outright assignment and still receive the remainder of his guaranteed salary, making it unlikely that he would accept such an option if he clears waiverss. A release seems to be the most probable outcome, especially since any team that trades for Jackson would be responsible for the rest of his incentives, which continue to increase with each appearance up to 60 games. If he clears release waiverss, he would be free to sign with any team for just the pro-rated league minimum, rendering the remaining incentives irrelevant. The Rangers would then be responsible for the remainder of his $1.5 million guarantee, minus the pro-rated minimum for any time he spent on another team’s roster. John Gray’s impactful return to the Rangers bullpen. The Texas Rangers bullpen just gained a gamechanging weapon at the perfect moment. As the team heats up in their playoff push, John Gay’s dramatic return as a reliever delivered exactly what they desperately needed. But here’s the twist. His seamless transition to high pressure relief might make you question why he wasn’t there all along. Let’s break down why this move could redefine their postseason dreams. When John Grace strode onto the mound for his 2025 season debut, Globe Life Field transformed into a wolf den. Howls echoed through the speakers, wolf animations prowled the video boards, and an electric atmosphere signaled something special. Manager Bruce Bochi had been waiting for this moment like a parched traveler in the desert. With Chris Martin sidelined by a calf injury and the trade deadline looming, Gray’s bullpen arrival felt like an early blockbuster acquisition. His two scoreless innings against the Athletics sealed a nerve-wracking 2-1 victory, proving he’s not just back, he’s reinvented. Gray’s impact went beyond the box score after a rusty slider nearly cost the team in the sixth inning. Left fielder Michael Helman saved the day with a spectacular tumbling glav at the warning track. “I owe him a big old hug,” Gray later admitted, though he laughed, adding, “A strikeout would have been cooler.” The very next inning, Oakland’s defensive blunder handed Texas the win when Jonah’s pop-up dropped between confused fielders, allowing rookie speedster Wyatt Langford to score from first base. These pivotal moments highlighted how Gray’s presence galvanizes the entire team. Consider the bigger picture. This win completed a series sweep, push Texas three games over 500, and tighten the AL wildard race. The Rangers now sit just 1.5 games behind playoff contenders Seattle and Boston. All this from an offense that managed only four hits. As Bochi noted, they’re playing with confidence. There’s a good vibe. That energy stems partly from a bullpen that’s been quietly dominant, boasting a 1.24 ERA since July 11th and the AL’s best overall ERA, 3.24. Gray’s firepower slots perfectly into this ascending group. What makes Gray’s transition fascinating? He actively prefers the bullpen chaos over starting. It feels more raw, he explained. Instead of strategizing to beat lineups three times, I just attack with my best stuff. It’s freeing. This mindset echoes his 2023 postseason heroics and explains why Texas considered him for closer before spring training. Now, as a multi-inninging weapon, he offers flexibility Boji craves. To make room, the Rangers designated Luke Jackson 4.11 erra for assignment, a tough but strategic move, prioritizing playoff caliber arms. Here’s the controversial angle. Should Gray have been in this role from opening day? His stuff clearly plays up in short bursts and his enthusiasm for belief is palpable. Yet, the Rangers waited until a playoff push and injuries force their hand. Did they miss an opportunity or is his impact magnified by perfect timing? Share your thoughts on whether this move comes too late or if it’s the secret weapon that could carry Texas deep into October. John Gray’s intense return to Rangers, a new bullpen weapon. John Gray’s return to the Rangers new bullpin role provides upside as the team’s performance has turned into something truly remarkable. As he entered the game Wednesday, the lighting in Globe Life feel changed. Wolf howls emanated from speakers and Wolf graphics appeared on the video board complete with animation. It was like they were waiting on him. Whether we’re talking about the Rangers game presentation crew or manager Bruce Bochi, the answer is the same. Boy, were they ever. The Rangers have gotten legitimately hot over the last two weeks with their biggest need as they close in on playoff contention being a leverage reliever. This became even more glaring when Chris Martin yanked his calf muscle over the weekend, which led to an early season trade deadline scare. Then, as Gray rode in like a character out of twilight, firing fast balls and sliders to give the Rangers two key scoreless innings in a 2-1 sweep clinching win over the A’s, wherever they are from, it felt like they had acquired a major trade acquisition a week before the deadline. Oh, I’d say it’s like that when you get somebody like Gray to help you out, said Boji. I did put him in a tough spot, but he handled it well. He’s got the kind of stuff you like late in the ball game. Or as put by Jonah Hine, whose seventh inning pop-up turned into a game-winning double, he’s going to be a weapon out there. This was especially true when Tyler Soderstrom played a key role on defense, nearly running over Jacob Wilson in the seventh. As both players backed away from him’s two-out popfly, it fell between them. Wyatt Langford, all gas, no breaks, sped around from first to score on the play. It all added up to the Rangers fifth win on the home stand with three remaining against Atlanta, pushing them to three games over 500, tied with Tampa Bay for the first wildcard spot and one and a half games behind both Seattle and Boston, which were tied for the second spot. Not a bad notes work for an offense that only managed four hits, one of them, the misplayed double. But hot teams find ways to win, even if the opponent helps them occasionally find it. This is the kind of game that a lot of the time has gotten away from us, said Boji. So, it’s good to win this one. They are playing with a lot of confidence. There is a good vibe going on. He was this close to saying vibing. Oh well. After the brief bout with a rusty slider, Gray looked much more like the guy the Rangers remembered from the 2023 postseason when he was a key weapon out of the bullpin. It was the first time he pitched in relief, but did it again last year after returning from his injuries. It left the Rangers very intrigued. So intrigued that there was talk he might be a candidate to close at the Sparta training. Didn’t materialize then, but he might be more valuable now as a multi-inninging reliever. And here’s the thing, Gray likes the whole idea, which is kind of key. It just feels more raw. I like it. Gray said of the bullpen role. It’s more just taking your best stuff and going instead of trying to create a specific plan to beat the whole offense three times. In this role, I knew I was facing each guy once, maybe twice. So, it was just take your best stuff and go at him. And that was just easy for me. It freed me up a lot.
