ARLINGTON -- Rangers reliever Sam Dyson threw a simulated inning on Saturday and the next step could be a medical rehabilitation assignment in the Minor Leagues.
Dyson threw 18 pitches with Ryan Rua and Jurickson Profar standing at the plate. It was Dyson's second simulated game since being placed on the disabled list on Monday with a contusion on his right hand.
"It was a really good session," pitching coach Doug Brocail said. "He had late movement and was throwing strikes. His slider was sharper, his sinker was late. It went well. Today was a better day than any of them."
Dyson went on the disabled list after getting hit in the right hand on a grounder back up the middle while pitching on Sunday against the Mariners. The hand was a concern, but the bigger issue was getting Dyson back to normal after a rough start to the season.
Dyson has pitched in six games and is 0-3 while allowing 13 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. He allowed 19 earned runs in 70 1/3 innings last year. The Rangers wanted to give Dyson some down time to get his game back together.
"I believe it has been productive, yes," Dyson said. "I've really allowed the last few weeks to overwhelm me in the sense of sitting there trying to overanalyze everything. I'm pretty hard on myself to begin with so it's kind of a matter of taking a step back and watching the guys and cheering the guys on and not really worrying too much about myself."
Matt Bush has taken over as the closer, but the Rangers haven't had a ninth-inning save situation since Dyson faced the Mariners with a 7-6 lead on Sunday.
"My finger has healed nicely," Dyson said. "I look forward to the next week or so to healing and go from there."