The 34-year-old journeyman had been a free agent since the Mets outrighted him in July; now he’ll be the Rangers’ first-base coach.
Travis Jankowski, a veteran outfielder who ended his career with the New York Mets in 2025, is retiring to become the Texas Rangers‘ first base coach.
Jankowski, 34, was among a slate of new hires announced to new Rangers manager Skip Schumaker’s staff on Wednesday.
The journeyman played for the San Diego Padres (2015-19), Cincinnati Reds (2020), Philadelphia Phillies (2021), Mets (2021, 2025), Seattle Mariners (2022), Rangers (2023-24), Chicago White Sox (2025) and Tampa Bay Rays (2025) over 11 seasons at the MLB level.
The Mets outrighted Jankowski to their Triple-A affiliate in July. He elected free agency and went unsigned over the remainder of the season.
Jankowski batted .236 with 11 home runs, 98 RBIs and 104 stolen bases in 706 career games.
A left-handed hitter with a shock of long blonde hair, Jankowski became a fan favorite across his baseball travels with his speed and flair. Though never a star, Jankowski was consistently able to carve out roles as a fourth-outfielder or left-field/center-field option, often used for speed, defensive alignment and late-game pinch-running.
In 2023 with the Rangers, Jankowski showed flashes of what made him a first-round pick (44th overall) by the Padres in 2012. He led the club in stolen bases, slashed .263/.357/.332 in 107 games, and delivered in the postseason with a two-hit, two-RBI game in Game 4 of the World Series.
In addition to Jankowski, the Rangers will round out their staff with a new hitting coach (Alex Cintrón), quality control coach (Rod Barajas), and bullpen coach (Colby Suggs).
The four newcomers will join six returning coaches; pitching coach Jordan Tiegs, hitting coach Justin Viele, third base coach Corey Ragsdale, catching coach Brett Hayes, bench coach Luis Urueta, and assistant pitching coach Dave Bush.
Schumaker left his special assistant’s role to succeed Bruce Bochy as the Rangers’ manager. Bochy is now a special advisor with the San Francisco Giants.
