Alex

Jackson

Montgomery is the Rays’ 4th-ranked prospect but has struggled in 2024, pitching to a 6.26 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 87 2/3 innings across 31 games (14 starts). However, that does come with a 105:36 K:BB ratio, and his stuff has played up since moving to the bullpen. In his last 10 relief appearances, he has not allowed a run while striking out 20 batters and walking five. He can run his fastball up to 97 mph with elite iVB, so he could be a factor in the Rays’ bullpen down the stretch. He will take Alex Jackson’s spot on the 40-man roster after the catcher was designated for assignment.

The Rays called up Logan Driscoll as one of their September call-ups, so they were able to move on from Jackson and still have two catchers on the active roster. Jackson is hitting .122/.201/.237 in 58 games for the Rays. He’ll hope to latch on as veteran catcher depth in another organization.

Alex Jackson will catcher while Rortvedt is away. Rob Brantly was added to the roster to serve as the backup.

Jackson became the most unlikely batter to homer off Orioles ace Corbin Burnes in recent memory as he connected for his first round-tripper of the year in the second inning of this one. It was his first long ball in the majors since August 13, 2021. The 28-year-old backstop is hitting .061 (3-for-49) with 25 strikeouts in 53 plate appearances this season. Simply put, he can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats until further notice.

Jackson hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 when he was with the Brewers. He’s spent the past two seasons at the Triple-A level and is having a solid season slashing .282/.344/.612 with seven homers and 18 RBI. He’ll act as the No. 2 catcher for Tampa Bay with Rene Pinto back in the minors.

The 28-year-old Jackson, a converted outfielder with a .141/.243/.227 line in 185 plate appearances as a major leaguer, has been penciled in as the Rays’ backup catcher. It’s possible the nod will instead go to Francisco Mejia if Jackson continues to struggle, but the Rays see something they like here.

Jackson, who was acquired from the Brewers in July, hit .284/.347/.556 in 59 games in Triple-A. It was the first season since 2018 in which he didn’t log any MLB time. He’s played in 66 major league games over four seasons, batting .141/.242/.227 with 89 strikeouts in 185 plate appearances. For the moment, he’s the No. 2 catcher on the Rays’ depth chart behind René Pinto. They’ll add at least one veteran, though.

In a minor league deal the Rays add some depth behind the plate, The 27-year-old backstop has hit .286/.360/.554 with 12 homers and 35 RBI in 189 plate appearances at Triple-A Nashville this season.

Jackson will receive a non-roster invitation to spring training, but has been removed from the Brewers’ 40-man roster heading into next week’s Rule 5 Draft. The 26-year-old backstop got into five games last year for Milwaukee before sustaining a season-ending left wrist injury in late August. He’ll continue to serve as emergency organizational catching depth.

This is basically just an early-offseason paperwork move. Jackson battled finger and wrist injuries in 2022, appearing in only five total games at the MLB level, but the 26-year-old former top prospect could be somewhere in the running for a share of catching duties in Milwaukee next spring.