The best pitching staff in baseball just got better. Luke Jackson was DFAed.

Oh, that was a cheap shot, sorry. Meant to say: Jon Gray returned from injury. It was almost like getting a great arm at the trade deadline, and all it cost was Luke Jacson on the roster.

Good tradeoff.

Jon Gray missed the last six weeks of 2024 with right foot injury that required surgery. He was coming back from that in spring training when a line drive broke his right wrist.

That took him out fifteen weeks. Last night, he made his 2025 debut. And it wasn’t like he was tossed into a cushy situation just to see what he could offer. Gray came into a 1-1 game with two outs and runners on first and third.

Sacramento hitter Tyler Soderstrom drilled a long drive to center that Evan Carter was able to catch while banging off the wall. 

The Rangers scored a second run on a pop up to deep short that both the Athletics shortstop and left fielder let drop between them in a horrible case of miscommunication, allowing Wyatt Langford to score from first, and allowing Jon Gray picked up a win in his first game back, going a total of two innings, no walks, no Ks, and giving up just one hit.

After the game, Gray said he likes working out of the bullpen, doesn’t feel like he must be a starter. With the Rangers rotation, he might not have a place anyway, unless they want to give deGrom or Eovaldi extra rest, which might happen.

The Rangers have lacked a bona fide closer all season. Gray has never closed games. With the trade deadline just a week away, Chris Young has to decide if he thinks Gray could be that guy, or he need to get that guy in a trade.

One thing to keep in mind. He thought Luke Jackson could be that guy. Or Chris Martin. Or Robert Garcia.

But it’s good to have Jon Gray back.

*****