Soria nearing rehab assignment

ARLINGTON -- Joakim Soria, who has not pitched in the Major Leagues since 2011, is getting ready to go on a rehab assignment. Soria threw approximately 30 pitches of live batting practice on Monday without any issues, and the next step could be pitching for Double-A Frisco as early as Thursday.

"I feel good, my arm is ready to go," Soria said. "I feel consistently good. … My command is good. There is no reason I can't go face hitters."

Soria, who had Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on April 3, 2012, isn't sure how many outings he'll need on a 30-day rehab assignment, but it's unlikely he'll be ready before the beginning of July.

"It just depends on how I feel and how the hitters treat me," Soria said.

Soria spent five seasons as the Royals closer, saving 160 games in 2007-11 before missing all of last season. The Rangers signed him to a two-year deal in the offseason. They were hoping to have him back by June 1, but a strained muscle in the front of his right shoulder delayed his progress.