Soria ready to throw batting practice

ARLINGTON -- Joakim Soria, who has been on the disabled list since the beginning of the season, is scheduled to throw batting practice on Friday at the Ballpark. Soria, who has been working out in Surprise, Ariz., joined the Rangers on Thursday and will be with the club for the rest of the homestand.

Soria is expected to throw two or three BP sessions. If those go well, he could begin a Minor League rehab assignment with the aim of joining the Rangers' bullpen at some point in July.

"I can't wait," Soria said. "I have been working hard in Arizona, but I'm really happy to get here and be around a Major League club again -- start living this life again, the atmosphere, getting excited for a game. That pushes me even more."

Soria spent five seasons as the Royals' closer and was a two-time All-Star before missing all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 3, 2012. The Rangers signed him as a free agent in the offseason with the hope that he would be recovered and in the bullpen by now, but he had a setback in May, when he strained a muscle in the front of his right shoulder. Now he is healthy again.

"It has been great," he said. "No need to worry about it any more."