Roy Oswalt Hoping “The Next Step Is In Arlington”

On Sunday night, Roy Oswalt posted his best start since returning to professional baseball, going six innings and striking out five in a 100-pitch performance. He gave up six hits, walked just one and threw a fastball that topped out around 94 MPH--this in a 4-2 win for Triple A-Round Rock--an outing that was good enough to convince Oswalt that he’s close to being ready for a return to the Major Leagues.

“The biggest thing is to build arm strength, and I could have gone out there and threw two more innings," said Oswalt, per the Dallas Morning News. “My arm strength is there. My pitch location is getting better.

“Hopefully the next step is in Arlington. After tonight I feel like I'm back to where I can throw 120, 125 pitches if I need to get deep into the ballgame. We'll see what they say.”

According to the account in the Morning News, Rangers’ officials, including president Nolan Ryan and GM Jon Daniels, will review film of Oswalt’s performance and go from there.

Whenever Oswalt makes his first start for Texas, it will be his first Major League start since October 5 of last year, when (as a member of the Phillies) he gave up six hits and five earned runs over six innings, in a 5-3 NLDS loss to the eventual World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.