The Texas Rangers are not completely closing the book on their championship era, even as much of the roster that delivered the 2023 World Series title has moved on. After parting ways with several key contributors from that run, the organization has opted to retain a familiar face tied to one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
While Marcus Semien was dealt to the New York Mets, Adolis García landed with the Philadelphia Phillies, and Jonah Heim remains unsigned deep into free agency, Texas made a quieter move to keep some continuity. The Rangers signed right-handed reliever Josh Sborz to a minor-league contract, according to MLB’s official transactions log. Sborz had been non-tendered in November alongside García, Heim, and Jacob Webb, the latter of whom later joined the Cubs on a major-league deal.
From 2021 to 2024, Sborz logged exactly 150 regular-season innings for Texas, plus another 12 in the postseason. His regular-season numbers were unremarkable, but his October résumé tells a different story. During the 2023 playoff run, he allowed just one earned run across 10 appearances, striking out 13 and posting a dominant 0.75 ERA, including recording the final out of the World Series.
The 32-year-old missed all of 2024 at the major-league level after battling shoulder issues and undergoing offseason surgery, pitching only in rehab outings at Triple-A. While nothing is guaranteed, a healthy Sborz could earn his way back into the bullpen, with his postseason pedigree working firmly in his favor.