The Texas Rangers are keeping at least part of their championship core together. After the 2025 season, Texas moved on from several key contributors from its 2023 World Series title run. Second baseman Marcus Semien was traded to the New York Mets, outfielder Adolis García signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, and catcher Jonah Heim remains unsigned months into free agency.
Still, the Rangers made sure one familiar postseason hero will return to the organization. According to Major League Baseball’s official transaction log, Texas signed right-handed reliever Josh Sborz to a minor-league contract on Tuesday, ensuring he will be back in camp for spring training.
Sborz had been one of four players non-tendered by the Rangers in November, alongside García, Heim, and pitcher Jacob Webb, who later inked a major-league deal with the Chicago Cubs. Despite the move, Texas opted to bring Sborz back on a lower-risk deal.
From 2021 to 2024, Sborz logged exactly 150 regular-season innings with the Rangers, posting a 4.86 ERA, while also adding 12 postseason innings. While his regular-season numbers were modest, his playoff performance during the World Series run was exceptional. Across 10 postseason appearances, Sborz allowed just one earned run, gave up four hits and four walks, struck out 13 batters, and finished with a dominant 0.75 ERA.
The 32-year-old right-hander endured a difficult 2024 season due to a right rotator cuff strain and shoulder fatigue, ultimately undergoing offseason surgery. He did not appear in the majors last year and recorded a 5.25 ERA in 12 rehabilitation outings with Triple-A Round Rock.
Sborz will enter camp with no guarantees, but if he can work his way back into contention for a bullpen role, his proven postseason success could give him an edge as the Rangers evaluate their relief options.
