Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray set for first rehab start at Triple-A Round Rock

ANAHEIM — The scene at Triple-A Round Rock’s game Wednesday night may have a distinct big league feel to it.

Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray will make his first minor league rehab start Wednesday for the Express in their game vs. the Albuquerque Isotopes at Dell Diamond. Gray, 33, has not yet pitched in a game this season after his wrist was fractured by a comebacker during spring training.

Gray could pitch two-to-three innings according to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. Right-handed relief pitcher Josh Sborz — who threw a live bullpen at the club’s Surprise, Ariz. complex Tuesday — is also close to a minor league rehab assignment.

“It’s exciting that he’s starting his rehab,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Sborzy, after yesterday, he’s going to be starting his rehab real soon. All that went well. These are two guys that are a big part of our rotation and having them close to being back to helping us, that’s exciting.”

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It’s still unclear how many rehab starts Gray will need to make before he can return to the big league team. Bochy, though, said that the team’s needs may determine that. The Rangers are still intent on ramping Gray back up as a starting pitcher.

Gray might not be the only big leaguer in the lineup. Rangers third baseman Josh Jung is in Round Rock as part of a minor league assignment designed to let him work the kinks out of his swing and approach in a low-stress environment. Veteran first baseman Rowdy Tellez, whom the Rangers signed to a minor league contract Friday, is also there.

Jung went 2 for 5 with a double and a strikeout in his Round Rock season debut Tuesday night. Tellez — who had a .683 OPS and 11 home runs with the Seattle Mariners before he was released last month — went 1 for 3 with a home run in his debut.

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