Mark Rogers’ hopes of returning to the major leagues suffered a setback this week when the Texas Rangers released him from a minor-league contract.

Rogers, 29, spent a month at the Rangers’ spring training site in Surprise, Arizona, after signing with the team in late February. The Mt. Ararat High grad pitched briefly with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 and 2012 after being selected fifth overall in the 2004 draft.

“I wished I had made more of the opportunity,” Rogers said by phone Friday of his latest comeback attempt. “I wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be.

“Physically, I felt great. My velocity was back. I hit 98 mph. They wanted me as a short reliever, a one-inning pitcher, and I’m used to being a starter. It was tough making the adjustment from being a starter to a reliever.”

Rogers, who lives now in Chandler, Arizona, has battled shoulder injuries for most of his pro career. He’s looking to regain his form from 2012, when he started seven games for the Brewers and had a 3-1 record, striking out 41 batters in 39 innings.

Milwaukee released him after the 2013 season. Rogers started the 2014 season in the Seattle Mariners’ organization but was released May 4 after making two starts in Triple-A. He then pitched for the Lancaster (Pennsylvania) Barnstormers in the independent Atlantic League.

He appeared in one Cactus League game with the Rangers’ major league squad, allowing two walks and a hit in two-thirds of an inning. Rogers’ other appearances this spring were in minor league games.

“I only got to throw five innings,” he said. “One time it rained on my day to pitch.”

Despite his latest setback, Rogers remains optimistic and is determined to make it back to the majors.

“I’m still waiting to hear back from some other teams,” he said.

If that doesn’t work out, Rogers said he will play independent ball this summer.

“I’m not sure exactly where, but it will either be with Lancaster or the Long Island Ducks,” he said. “I have to go where the best opportunity is.

“I’m looking forward to it. I will be back as a starter.”

Rogers worked out with Bill Swift, the South Portland native, before being signed by the Rangers. Swift, who pitched 13 seasons in the major leagues, is the baseball coach at Arizona Christian University in Phoenix. Swift went 21-8 for the San Francisco Giants in 1993 and finished with a career record of 94-78.

Rogers said the workouts with Swift helped.

“Looking back on it, I was the best prepared I’ve been,” he said.

Given how he feels physically, giving up the sport does not seem likely anytime soon.

“I love baseball,” Rogers said last summer. “If I’m healthy, you’d have to put me in handcuffs and drag me away before I stop.”