The Rangers announced yesterday that they have avoided arbitration with reliever Josh Sborz by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1MM contract for the 2025 season. However, the right-handed pitcher is expected to miss a significant portion of the season after undergoing shoulder debridement surgery, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Sborz is projected to be sidelined for the first two to three months of the 2025 season while he recovers.
The surgery is not unexpected, as a shoulder injury limited Sborz to just 16 1/3 innings and 17 appearances for Texas last year. He was placed on the injured list four times — twice for a right rotator cuff strain and twice for shoulder fatigue. After August 7, he only pitched once and later mentioned to Grant that he would consult with Dr. Neal ElAttrache to gain clarity on his shoulder issues.
Sborz earned $1.025MM in 2024 and was expected to see a slight increase to $1.3MM in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The surgery likely played a role in him accepting a smaller raise, but the new agreement provides him with some financial security as he embarks on an extended rehab. Although the Rangers may have considered non-tendering Sborz after the surgery, the $1.1MM commitment is relatively modest, and Sborz is under arbitration control through the 2026 season.
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Sborz, who will turn 31 in December, has pitched in parts of six MLB seasons, debuting with the Dodgers in 2019 before being traded to the Rangers in 2021. In his first season with Texas, he posted a 3.97 ERA over 59 innings. However, elbow issues led to a 6.45 ERA in just 22 1/3 innings in 2022, and a 5.50 ERA in 52 1/3 innings in 2023. Over his time with the Rangers, Sborz has a 4.86 ERA, though his 3.46 SIERA is more impressive. His numbers have been affected by difficulties keeping the ball in the park and some bad luck with batted balls, especially during the challenging 2022 season when his BABIP was .396. Additionally, a 10% walk rate has been a hindrance, although he has generated strikeouts at a solid 28.7% rate. Despite an inconsistent 2023 season, Sborz was crucial in the postseason, posting a stellar 0.75 ERA over 12 playoff innings to help secure the World Series title for Texas.
With Kirby Yates, David Robertson, Jose Leclerc, Jose Urena, and Andrew Chafin all hitting free agency, the Rangers have made rebuilding their bullpen a key focus this winter. Keeping Josh Sborz on board will help solidify their relief corps, even though it will be some time before he can make his 2025 debut.
