Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Josh Sborz (shoulder) has visited with several shoulder expects since the season ended and both he and the team have yet to decide on a path forward, according to president of baseball operations Chris Young. Sborz appeared only 17 times out of Texas' bullpen in 2024 due to his right-shoulder troubles, ultimately culminating with him finishing the year on the injured list. The 30-year-old is likely deciding on whether to go under the knife, which would almost assuredly mean that he won't be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season. The Rangers' bullpen could look quite different next year, with Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc all being free agents. Sborz had a 3.86 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 17 K's and only four walks in his 16 1/3 relief innings in 2024.
The Texas Rangers activated right-hander Josh Sborz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Thursday and optioned right-hander Grant Anderson from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Sborz is returning from a right rotator-cuff strain after making one minor-league rehab appearance for Double-A Frisco on Tuesday. The 30-year-old reliever had 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Texas with no walks and three strikeouts earlier this month before going on the shelf with his right-shoulder injury. Now that he's back, Sborz will return to a high-leverage relief role late in games as a setup man alongside David Robertson and Jose Leclerc ahead of closer Kirby Yates. In 44 relief outings for Texas in the regular season in 2023, Sborz had a 5.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 walks and 66 K's in 52 1/3 innings.
Along with Texas Rangers relievers Jose Leclerc, Kirby Yates and David Robertson, right-hander Josh Sborz will be a high-leverage option for the team in the late innings in 2024. Manager Bruce Bochy isn't placing any of the four potential closing options in any sort of order in spring training, but Leclerc and Robertson figure to have the best chance for regular save opportunities. The 30-year-old Sborz had a rough 5.50 ERA last year, but his 3.35 xERA as well as his 36.9 percent strikeout rate point to a rebound in the ERA department this year. As long as he's able to stay healthy -- he's been on the injured list five times in the last two years -- Sborz should at least be interesting for fantasy managers in holds leagues in the back of Texas' bullpen.
Texas Rangers right-hander Josh Sborz (biceps) threw a scoreless inning with Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, the first game of his rehab assignment, striking out one and allowing a single hit. The 29-year-old has been out of action since earlier this month after suffering biceps tendinitis. Over 37.2 innings, Sborz owns a 4.54 ERA but with a 1.09 WHIP, 34.0% strikeout rate, and 10 holds. Fantasy managers can expect the five-year vet to return near the end of July, but he'll only have some value in hold leagues for the remainder of the season.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Josh Sborz (biceps) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with biceps tendinitis. The 29-year-old reliever has no timetable for his return at the moment. John King was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take Sborz's place on the active roster. Sborz has been a solid option out of the Rangers' bullpen so far this season, recording a 3.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 49:13 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 innings.
Texas Rangers pitcher Josh Sborz will make the start against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. This appears to be a bullpen game as Sborz is expected to pitch an inning or two. He currently holds a 5.87 ERA through 15.3 innings with the Rangers this season. He won't be a recommended fantasy option, so fantasy managers can look elsewhere for help for Friday's slate.
Texas Rangers pitcher Josh Sborz recorded his first save of the season during the club's 4-3 extra-inning victory against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. The right-hander, who had previously been demoted to the minors, gave closer Ian Kennedy the night off. Kennedy, who has nine saves on the season, had appeared in four games in five days. Sborz added two strikeouts and did not allow a hit or a walk. He now has a 3.55 ERA with a K:BB of 13:4 in 12 2/3 innings. With a strong ground-ball rate and the ability to miss bats, this 27-year-old right-hander has a chance to earn some holds and saves as the season continues if he continues to throw strikes.
The Texas Rangers acquired right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for minor league righty Jhan Zambrano. Sborz was designated for assignment on Feb. 11 when the Dodgers signed Trevor Bauer. A second-round pick in 2015, Sborz made his major league debut in June of 2019 and has thrown just 13 1/3 innings over two seasons in LA. He made four regular season appearances in 2020, recording a 2.08 ERA. The 27-year-old averaged 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors and had a 4.55 ERA at Triple-A. He'll help add depth for the Rangers bullpen behind a group of starters that didn't throw many innings in 2020. Zambrano hasn't made a professional appearance in the U.S.
Josh Sborz
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