Royals release right-hander Luke Jackson

The 34-year-old right-hander opted out of his minor league contract with the Mets last week. Jackson has really struggled in his limited minor league action this season, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and a 7/8 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings in eight appearances. He’ll add extra bullpen depth for the Royals.

The Mets will have a couple days to decide whether the elevate Jackson to the majors or find another organization willing to do the same. The 34-year-old veteran reliever will head to free agency if there isn’t an opportunity for him at the highest level. He signed a minor league deal with the Mets back in early April and has been hit hard in five appearances for Triple-A Syracuse.

Jackson languished on the open market throughout the entire offseason, and spring training, after struggling to an inflated 4.06 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 38/28 K/BB ratio across 51 innings between the Mariners, Tigers and Rangers last year. Perhaps switching leagues will do the trick. The well-traveled 34-year-old veteran figures to arrive in New York’s bullpen as a middle relief option at some point this summer.

Jackson, who was signed to a minor league contract 10 days ago, will join the Mariners pen after posting a 4.54 ERA in 42 appearances for the Rangers and Tigers this season.

Jackson has moved on to his third organization of the season after opening the year as Texas’ primary closer. The 33-year-old veteran was hit hard in three relief appearances for the Tigers before being cut loose earlier this month. He’ll operate in middle relief for Seattle if he’s brought to the majors at some point in the final five weeks.

The 33-year-old hurler refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Toledo and will once again peddle his wares on the open market. Jackson made just three appearances with the Tigers, registering a 7.71 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 4/5 K/BB ratio over 4 2/3 innings of work. He’s still talented enough that he should have no problem finding another team hurting for quality bullpen depth that’s willing to take a chance on him.

Jackson forged a 7.71 ERA in his 4 2/3 innings with the Tigers over three appearances. The 33-year-old will be looking for a new organization assuming he goes unclaimed, as it seems unlikely he’d accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Toledo.

Jackson represents a low-cost bullpen upgrade for Detroit after being released earlier this week by the Rangers after posting a serviceable 4.11 ERA across 35 innings (39 appearances). The well-traveled 33-year-old righty could potentially work his way into high-leverage spots, but he’ll most likely be utilized in middle relief for now.

It took roughly four months for Jackson to go from Opening Day closer to designated for assignment. The 33-year-old veteran right-hander has been jettisoned to make room for Jon Gray to return to Texas’ pitching mix after posting a pedestrian 4.11 ERA across 35 innings (39 appearances). He collected nine saves in his Rangers debut. It’ll presumably be Robert Garcia handling the closing duties for Texas until further notice. They’re among teams most likely to add some experienced high-leverage relief depth at the trade deadline.

The 33-year-old right-hander wasn’t messing around in this one, getting Ryan Noda on a bouncer to first base, Brooks Baldwin on a swinging third strike and Josh Rojas on a fly ball to center to end it. Jackson has fallen in the pecking order for saves in the Rangers’ bullpen, but he has still made good on nine of his first 11 chances on the season and has proven to be a capable option there.