Roy Oswalt, who signed with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, will start in the minor leagues while he prepares himself for the second half of the season, when he'll pitch in Texas' rotation.
Oswalt told reporters that he believes he'll need four starts before he's ready to join Texas' rotation.
"My arm feels great, my body feels great," Oswalt said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon. "I think we'll go out and try to have a 50- or 60-pitch count that first game and I'm hoping after about four starts to be ready to join the team."
Oswalt, 34, said his back feels good and that others "have worse cases than I have."
"I know my body. I know where I'm at," Oswalt said. "I feel as healthy as ever."
Oswalt's health is paramount. He made just 23 starts with the Philadelphia Phillies last year, missing time due to a back injury. Still, even in 139 innings last year, Oswalt was an asset, and had a 2.5 WAR for the Phillies.
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