Joakim Soria might not be a household name around these parts, but the Texas Rangers just signed one of the best relief pitchers in baseball over the past five years.
Though Soria won't be ready by Opening Day, he claims he'll be ready before many people suspected as he claims he'll be back by May despite many reports he'd probably be set to return from his second Tommy John surgery in June or July.
With Koji Uehara saying he prefers to return to Baltimore, but also likes Texas, and Mike Adams garnering interest from several teams coming off throacic outlet surgery, it seems as though the Rangers' bullpen will look much different in 2013.
If healthy, Soria would be a highly qualified set-up man for Joe Nathan and would seemingly be groomed to take over for Nathan in 2014 if the Rangers don't pick up their club option on the aging vet. After all, Soria does have two 40-save seasons in his five MLB season and two with at least 28.
The fact that Soria has already rehabbed from Tommy John once says he could be on to something in regards to his early return after the surgery forced him to miss all of the 2012 season.
"I’m feeling good so far and we'll see how it goes," Soria told ESPN Dallas.
