Rangers’ Tyler Mahle set for significant step in recovery, Jon Gray makes 1st rehab start

ANAHEIM — A key member of the Texas Rangers’ rotation is expected to take a significant step in his return from injury before the club kicks off the season’s second half.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that right-handed pitcher Tyler Mahle (shoulder) will start throwing again next week. Mahle hasn’t pitched since June 10 and was moved to the 60-day injured list July 1 with a right rotator cuff strain.

He isn’t eligible to return until Aug. 11 and would likely require multiple minor league rehab starts before he could pitch again for the Rangers anyways. The 30-year-old was off to a career-best start before his injury with a 2.34 ERA in his first 14 starts this season.

Bochy also provided updates on the three other sidelined Rangers players that are expected to return this season.

Rangers

RHP Jon Gray: Gray (fractured wrist) threw two-innings of one-run ball in his first minor league rehab start Wednesday at Triple-A Round Rock and came out of it fine. His next start will be Sunday, according to Bochy, and he’s expected to pitch three innings.

DH Joc Pederson: Pederson is two-to-three weeks away from taking batting practice according to Bochy. Pederson hasn’t played since his hand was fractured by a pitch in a May 24 game against the Chicago White Sox.

RHP Josh Sborz: The Rangers have yet to decide whether Sborz — who threw a live bullpen at the club’s Surprise, Ariz. complex Tuesday — will either throw another live bullpen or begin a rehab assignment. Sborz, who hasn’t played in a game this year after offseason shoulder surgery, will travel with the team to Houston.

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