Rangers already thin bullpen took another hit after latest injury update

The Texas Rangers' pitching staff is easily the most suspect part of their roster. Their rotation has gotten the most attention, due to the injuries to guys like Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, but the bullpen has faced their own trials and tribulations. Not only did the Rangers lose multiple important arms in Aroldis Chapman and Chris Stratton to free agency, but Texas' additions of David Robertson and Kirby Yates were very, very speculative at best.

So far, the Rangers' new bullpen arms have performed well, but the onus was still on their existing guys to hold things down, including Josh Sborz. Through three appearances, it looked like Sborz was settling into his role nicely, but he is now headed to the injured list with a rotator cuff strain, which threatens to upset the order in Texas' bullpen considerably.

Rangers News: Josh Sborz headed to injured list, Texas recalls Grant Anderson

Sborz has long been an arm that everyone has been waiting patiently for a little consistency from, and he seemed well on his way coming off the 2023 postseason. So far in his big league career, though, he has been very inconsistent. Just last season, he struck out 66 batters in 44 appearances (52.1 innings of work), but he also posted a 5.50 ERA during that same span, which is not what you want to see. Still, with a 3.75 FIP last season, many thought that Sborz had just gotten a bit unlucky on balls in play and should bounce back this season.

The good news is that Sborz's injury does not appear to be serious. By all accounts, Sborz could return as soon as his 15 days on the injured list are up. Grant Anderson was the corresponding roster move, and while his 2023 looks very similar to Sborz's, it is safe to say that Texas would greatly prefer to have Sborz back on the mound.

For the Rangers' bullpen, this is a big test. The Rangers' relief corps have made things work thus far using spare parts and avoiding (so far) a catastrophe from Jose Leclerc, but something is going to have to give soon. Maybe Sborz comes back and shoves the rest of the season, but the bullpen is looking very tenuous early in the 2024 season and it is unlikely that Grant Anderson is going to be the answer.

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