On Friday evening, the New York Mets will continue their series with the New York Yankees at Citi Field.
Ahead of the game, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported the news that Luke Jackson is opting out of his minor league contract with the organization.
Sammon wrote: “Veteran reliever Luke Jackson is opting out of his minor-league deal with the Mets, league sources said.”
Jackson had appeared in eight Minor League games this season.
He went 0-1 with a 7.04 ERA.
UPDATE: Jackson has been officially released.
Jackson’s Background
GettyLuke Jackson #77 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates on the field after defeating the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game Six of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas.
Jackson was picked in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
He spent the first two seasons of his career with the Texas Rangers.
Following Texas, Jackson pitched five seasons for the Atlanta Braves.
During the 2021 season, he went 2-2 with a 1.98 ERA (and the Braves won the World Series).
GettyLuke Jackson #77 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Will Smith #51 on the field after defeating the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game Six of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas.
Jackson has also had stints with the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners.
He briefly rejoined the Braves (2024) and Rangers (2025).
Over 390 career games, the 34-year-old has gone 24-16 with a 4.22 ERA.
It will be interesting to see if another team takes a chance on Jackson before the end of the 2026 season.
Social Media Reacts To Jackson News
GettyLuke Jackson #77 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout after being relieved during the seventh inning of Game Six of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here’s what people were saying on social media:
@JustinRocke: “Jackson combined to go 0-1 with a 7.04 ERA (6 ER/7.2 IP) in eight relief appearances between Single-A St. Lucie and Triple-A Syracuse. He posted a 23.5% walk rate and a 20.6% strikeout rate in that time.”
@thebs19: “He’s been atrocious. Thankfully he opted out before Stearns could bring him up”
@Mets2026: “He’s going back to Atlanta and will have a 2.03 ERA”
@hersent: “Hmm coming back to Mariners”
Braves And Mets Right Now
The Braves are currently the top team in the National League East with a 31-14 record in 45 games.
They are in the middle of a series with the Boston Red Sox.
Meanwhile, the Mets are at the bottom of the division with an 18-26 record in 44 games.
Atlanta Braves World Series Champion Headed For Free Agency After Opt Out