Rangers Reliever Sborz Remains with Organization After Deadline Passes

The right-hander exercised a clause in his contract that made him available to other MLB teams, but no offers materialized.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:11pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the overlapping planes and angles of a baseball pitcher's throwing motion, rendered in a cubist style with muted navy, green, and orange tones.A cubist interpretation of a relief pitcher's delivery captures the complex, fragmented movements of the sport.Round Rock Today

Texas Rangers reliever Josh Sborz exercised a clause in his contract that made him available to the rest of Major League Baseball this week, but no teams made an offer to sign him. As a result, Sborz will remain in the Rangers' minor league system at Triple-A Round Rock for now, though he has another opportunity to declare free agency in June if he doesn't make the big-league roster.

Why it matters

Sborz was a key contributor out of the bullpen for the Rangers during their 2023 World Series championship run, and the team was hoping to bring him back to the majors at some point this season to bolster their relief corps. His ability to remain with the organization provides the Rangers with additional pitching depth as they aim to return to the playoffs.

The details

Sborz, who has a 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings at Round Rock this season, exercised a clause in his minor-league contract that allowed him to become available to other MLB teams this week. The Rangers had 48 hours to match any offer Sborz received, but no teams made a move to sign him. Texas opted not to call up Sborz earlier this week when they needed bullpen help, instead promoting Gavin Collyer and Cal Quantrill. However, with injuries to two of their opening day relievers, the Rangers will likely need reinforcements at some point, and Sborz could get that opportunity if he can prove his effectiveness in back-to-back outings at Triple-A.

  • On Tuesday, Sborz recorded the final out in the Rangers' 2023 World Series victory.
  • Earlier this week, Sborz exercised a clause in his contract that made him available to the rest of MLB.
  • The 48-hour window for the Rangers to match any offer for Sborz passed on Friday with no other teams signing him.

The players

Josh Sborz

A right-handed relief pitcher who has been in the Rangers' organization since being traded there in 2021. He was a key contributor out of the bullpen during the team's 2023 World Series championship run.

Gavin Collyer

A relief pitcher who the Rangers called up earlier this week to provide bullpen depth.

Cal Quantrill

Another relief pitcher who the Rangers called up earlier this week to provide bullpen depth.

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What they’re saying

“Earlier this week the Rangers needed relief help but didn't go in Sborz's direction. They opted to call up Gavin Collyer and Cal Quantrill.”

— Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News Reporter

What’s next

Sborz has another opportunity to declare free agency and leave the Rangers organization in June if he does not make the major-league roster by that point.

The takeaway

The Rangers' ability to retain Sborz for now provides them with additional pitching depth as they look to build on their 2023 World Series championship, though his future with the organization remains uncertain beyond the next couple months.