Josh Sborz: Rangers Pitcher’s Recovery, Velocity & Spring Training Outlook 2026
- — Spring training often serves as a period of routine health checks for baseball players, ranging from minor housekeeping to more critical evaluations.
- Sborz is now well into his second year of rehabilitation following a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2025 season.
- While seemingly simple improvements, they represent significant progress for a pitcher who has thrown only 16 ⅓ innings since recording the final out of the 2023 World Series.
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Spring training often serves as a period of routine health checks for baseball players, ranging from minor housekeeping to more critical evaluations. For Josh Sborz, a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Texas Rangers, this spring presents a particularly important hurdle in his recovery.
Sborz is now well into his second year of rehabilitation following a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entirety of the season. “My arm feels a lot better,” Sborz said on . “It doesn’t hurt. I can pick my kids up. I can put a plate away in the cabinet. I’m feeling better in all facets of life.”
While seemingly simple improvements, they represent significant progress for a pitcher who has thrown only 16 ⅓ innings since recording the final out of the World Series. His post-championship momentum was halted by shoulder and rotator cuff issues, culminating in surgery and a challenging rehabilitation process that impacted his velocity.
His attempt to return in was cut short when his fastball velocity remained in the low 90s, even after a period of rest intended to restore his arm strength. The Rangers ultimately non-tendered him on , a decision Sborz acknowledged wasn’t entirely unexpected, given the team’s payroll considerations.
“I’m a reliever,” Sborz stated, “so I’m pretty replaceable.”
During the offseason, Sborz sought guidance from physical therapists in Arizona, experimenting with different approaches to rebuild his arm strength. He discovered that tightness in his chest muscles and poor posture contributed to his issues. He also realized he hadn’t been adequately fueling his body during his recovery, hindering his progress.
By late , Sborz reported feeling healthy enough to resume throwing, though he was no longer able to utilize the Rangers’ facilities. He worked with a high school catcher, practicing at a local Dallas-area football field and utilized a local gym for strength training. Despite exploring the free agent market for a guaranteed major league contract, he ultimately signed a minor league deal with the Rangers on , drawn by the familiarity and support of the organization.
“I think a lot of the front office, coaches and staff were all kind of upset, too, that it didn’t go the way that we wanted it to,” Sborz said. “We left on good terms and I think the opportunity is still there.”
The Rangers are currently undergoing a bullpen rebuild, creating an opportunity for Sborz to compete for a relief pitching role. The team has a number of veteran non-roster invitees, minor leaguers, and a Rule 5 draft selection vying for limited positions on the roster.
If Sborz can regain his health and velocity, he could be a valuable asset. His fastball averaged 96.9 mph during his pivotal role in the World Series run, a speed faster than any pitch thrown by a member of last year’s bullpen. Even when his fastball dipped to 95.1 mph in , it remained effective when paired with his curveball.
“My approach to this spring training is slow gains,” Sborz explained. “Not to expect to throw 90 in bullpens and then go throw 97. If I can throw a live [session] today at 92-93, next one 92-93, then next game 93-94, that’s all I’m looking for. I’m not looking for a lot early. I just want a slow build.”