Even a day off couldn’t halt the Texas Rangers’ ongoing bullpen adjustments. On Tuesday, the Rangers activated right-hander Jonathan Hernández from the 15-day injured list and sent right-hander Owen White, who didn’t make an appearance during his two-day stint with the team, back to Triple-A Round Rock. 

Manager Bruce Bochy mentioned that Hernández “required” the additional time on rehab. The Rangers have observed an increase in his velocity, approaching its usual range, and according to Bochy, his slider has become sharper. Hernández has progressed through the typical stages of a reliever, pitching on consecutive days and also handling multiple innings.

Since placing right-hander Josh Sborz on the IL with rotator cuff soreness on April 7, the Rangers have made 14 roster moves within a span of 17 days, involving 10 different pitchers. Another move is anticipated this week to accommodate Sborz’s likely activation, but the team is optimistic that the situation will soon stabilize. This flurry of activity has resulted in one of the most transient pitching scenarios in the majors. The Rangers have utilized 18 pitchers in their initial 23 games, which ties them for the sixth-highest number of pitchers used in baseball. The Houston Astros lead the league with 23 pitchers deployed.

Sborz initiated a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco on Tuesday, pitching 2/3 of an inning and throwing 16 pitches for the RoughRiders. He recorded two strikeouts and allowed a single before being removed. His potential activation as early as Thursday could bring a semblance of stability to the Rangers’ bullpen.

“I believe things are going to improve,” Bochy remarked. “That’s what I meant when I mentioned striving for a .500 record over the initial three-plus weeks of the season. We weren’t at full strength in the bullpen, but we’ve managed to come out on the other side in good shape.”

Hernández, aged 27, has thrown 10 innings at Round Rock during his rehab assignment for a lat injury sustained last year, which persisted into spring training. Hernández possesses promising skills, but was notably hampered last year, particularly by a high walk rate. Notably, his walk rate has significantly decreased. He has only issued four walks to 43 batters (9.3%) at Round Rock. Last year, while in the majors, it stood at 10.2%. Throughout his career, it has been 11%.

The Rangers also optioned catcher Sam Huff back to Triple-A Round Rock after Jonah Heim’s activation from bereavement leave. Heim missed the final two games of the just-completed road trip after his mother-in-law passed away.