The Texas Rangers made several roster and bullpen adjustments earlier this week, but one notable name was absent from the list of moves, signaling the end of a familiar chapter for a key reliever from their recent championship run. Josh Sborz, best known for recording the final out of the Rangers’ 2023 World Series victory, has now officially moved into free agency after opting out of his minor league contract and being released from Triple-A Round Rock.
According to reports from The Dallas Morning News, Sborz chose to step away from his current deal after previously remaining with the organization despite being eligible for free agency earlier in the season. Although he initially stayed in hopes of working his way back to the major league roster, it now appears his time with Texas has come to an end.
The Rangers’ recent bullpen reshuffling included several notable transactions. The team selected the contract of reliever Robby Ahlstrom, setting him up for what will likely be his Major League debut. In addition, Texas promoted right-hander Luis Curvelo from Triple-A to strengthen the bullpen depth. To accommodate these moves, the club optioned Gavin Collyer back to the minors and placed veteran reliever Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement.
Sborz, however, was not part of those roster decisions, which many viewed as a clear indication that the organization no longer considered him part of their immediate pitching plans.
For Rangers fans, Sborz will always be remembered for his iconic moment during the 2023 postseason. In the final out of the World Series, he secured the championship and immediately celebrated in dramatic fashion, throwing his glove to the ground before jumping into the arms of catcher Jonah Heim. That emotional scene sealed Texas’ first-ever World Series title and cemented Sborz’s place in franchise history.
During that championship run, Sborz was nearly unhittable. He posted a remarkable 0.75 ERA across 10 postseason appearances, striking out 13 batters while walking only four over 12 innings. His dominance during October represented the peak of his performance with the Rangers and played a major role in their title run.
However, his production declined in the seasons that followed. In 2024, his performance regressed statistically, and he was ultimately sidelined for the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Recovery proved difficult, as he struggled to regain the velocity that once made him an effective bullpen arm.
Despite those challenges, Texas brought him back on a minor league contract during the most recent offseason in hopes that he could rediscover his form. Unfortunately, his results in the minors were inconsistent. Over 15 appearances with Triple-A Round Rock, Sborz posted a 7.16 ERA, going 1-1 while allowing opposing hitters to bat .258 against him. In 16.1 innings pitched, he struck out 17 batters but also issued 12 walks, highlighting ongoing command issues.
Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the competitive balance round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Sborz made his big-league debut in 2019 before being traded to Texas ahead of the 2021 season. Over the course of his MLB career, he appeared in 154 games, compiling a 13-13 record with a 4.96 ERA, along with 193 strikeouts and 69 walks across 163.1 innings.
While his time in Texas ends after a memorable championship contribution, Sborz now enters free agency in search of a fresh opportunity to extend his professional career elsewhere.
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