Baltimore — The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has recalled right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard (#31) from Triple-A Round Rock. To make room for Howard on the active roster, the team has optioned right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz to Round Rock.
Howard, 25, will serve as the Rangers’ starting pitcher for tonight’s 6:05 p.m. CT game against the Orioles in Baltimore. The right-hander is entering his second MLB stint of 2022 (also Opening Day-April 29) and seeking his first MLB appearance since a relief outing on April 29 vs. Atlanta. Howard has 3 games/one start with Texas this season, going 0-1 with a 12.15 ERA (9 ER/6.2 IP). The California native was acquired by Texas from Philadelphia in six-player trade on July 30, 2021.
Howard has spent the balance of this season at Triple-A, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA (19 ER/46.1 IP) and 60 strikeouts in 10 games/starts for the Express. Among minor league pitchers in the Texas organization with at least 10 starts in 2022, Howard’s strikeout rate (11.65 SO/9) ranks second behind only Owen White (12.07 SO/9).
In his last three minor league starts, Howard is 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA (3 ER/17.0 IP), .111/.170/.204/.373 (6-54) opponent slash line, 3 walks, and 25 strikeouts. He last pitched on Thursday vs. Las Vegas (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 SO, 93 pitches/57 strikes), tying his career high with 11 strikeouts. That performance helped earn him Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week honors for June 27-July 3.
Sborz has no record with an 8.71 ERA (10 ER/10.1 IP) over 10 relief appearances spanning five stints with Texas: Opening Day-May 1, May 8, May 12-19, June 7, and June 26-July 4. He has served as the 27th man for each of the Rangers’ two doubleheaders this season. Sborz has also made 13 appearances with Round Rock this season: 1-0, one save, 0.55 ERA (1 R-0 ER/16.1 IP), 7 walks, 23 strikeouts.
After today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the Major League roster, along with two players (Jonathan Hernández and Eli White) on the 60-day Injured List.
