Rangers News: team signs All-Star catcher, Josh Smith ramps up, Josh Sborz returns

The Texas Rangers are back in the win column as Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford return to the lineup and proved vital to the winning effort last night against the Cleveland Guardians. The club has now pulled ahead of the Athletics, placing them in the final American League wild card spot and just 1.5 games back of the division-leading Seattle Mariners.

All of that is very noteworthy, but over the past couple of days, there have been several developments in Texas that have flown under the radar.

Rangers sign All-Star catcher Elias Diaz to a major league deal, designate Sam Haggerty for assignment

The Rangers' catching duo of Kyle Higashioka and Danny Jansen might not have knocked off anyone's socks, but in a league where talent behind the plate is scarce, the pair of veterans at least provided an intriguing way to cobble together production.

The reality, though, has been more of a mixed bag. Higashioka has been pretty solid at the plate with a 103 wRC+ so far, but Jansen is enduring his worst season as a big leaguer, slashing just .171/.277/.309.

Therefore, it isn't surprising that Texas would look for some cheap help. Chris Young may have found that in 2023 All-Star Elias Diaz. Diaz actually took home MVP honors in the Midsummer Classic thanks to his dramatic pinch-hit go-ahead homer.

Don't get too excited, though. The 35-year-old backstop has just one season with a wRC+ greater than 100, which came back in 2018, and comes to Arlington from the Kansas City Royals, where he was DFA'd after just 23 plate appearances. The Venezuelan native does bring a good glove behind the plate with him, however.

To make room on the 40-man roster, Sam Haggerty, who had been on the bereavement list, has been DFA'd.

Rangers see Josh Smith take another step towards returning from the IL

With Seager and Langford back in the fold, the Rangers are beginning to get healthy. Injuries had been a big reason why Texas had struggled to get its season off the ground earlier in the year.

Now, the club is seeing another potentially key piece beginning to embark on the comeback trail. Josh Smith was down in Frisco yesterday, taking live batting practice. There's a chance he could begin a rehab assignment as early as June 8.

The looming question will be what kind of role he will have once he returns. Ezequiel Duran's hot bat may earn him the starting spot at second base now that Seager is back and Josh Jung is showing out at third. That makes it hard to see where Smith could fit in the starting lineup.

With that said, depth is never a bad thing, and having a capable, starting-caliber infielder who can supplant a slumping regular or cover an injury is never a bad thing.

Rangers World Series hero Josh Sborz returns on a minor league deal

The Rangers opened June by releasing World Series hero Josh Sborz. The 32-year-old put together a legendary postseason run in 2023, which culminated in him recording the final out to clinch the World Series victory. Unfortunately, injuries derailed him since then.

The right-hander struggled to the tune of an 8.16 ERA over 14 1/3 innings at Round Rock this year prior to his release. However, just a few days after his release, the Rangers brought him back on a minor league deal.

Basically, this was all about freeing up a 40-man roster spot, which means even if he gets back on track, it will be more difficult for Sborz to make his way back to the majors. Still, it's nice to see him stick with the organization. Hopefully, things turn around for him soon.

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