Texas Rangers reliever Josh Sborz closing in on return to roster

DETROIT — Texas Rangers right-handed relief pitcher Josh Sborz is close to return from a right rotator cuff strain, manager Bruce Bochy said on Thursday at Comerica Park.

Sborz is eligible to be reinstated from the injured list on April 22, though Bochy said that “it’ll be close” whether the 30-year-old is healthy enough to pitch by then or not. He threw his first bullpen since his injury on Monday.

“He’s doing well,” Bochy said. “Sborz is on his way … talking to him, he feels great, his pain is down.”

Sborz pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his first three appearances of the season before he exited in the eighth inning of an April 6 game vs. Houston with what was described as “shoulder soreness” at the time.

When healthy, Sborz serves as an effective bridge between Texas’ starting pitchers and its closer. He pitched in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings in his first three games this year.

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