Arlington, TX – The Texas Rangers were active on the first day of major league roster expansion on Sunday.
Prior to the completion of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, the club reinstated designated hitter Lance Berkman and pitcher Nick Tepesch from the 15-day disabled list, reinstated pitchers Neftali Feliz and Michael Kirkman from the 60-day disabled list, purchased the contract of utilityman Jim Adduci from Triple-A Round Rock, recalled pitcher Cory Burns and catcher Robinson Chirinos from Round Rock, released pitcher Justin Miller and designated outfielder Joe Benson for assignment.
Berkman has been sidelined since before the All-Star break thanks to left hip inflammation. He batted .254 with six home runs and 34 RBI in 68 games with Texas before his injury. He combined to hit .364 with a home run, three RBI, in four rehab games Round Rock and Double-A Frisco.
Feliz hasn't taken the mound since May 18, 2012, out of commission following Tommy John surgery which took place last August. Kirkman has been out since early June while dealing with a recurrence of lymphoma, after going 0-2 with an 8.18 ERA in 25 relief appearances before leaving the club.
Tepesch, who began the season as the club's fifth starter, has been on the shelf since July 6 with right elbow inflammation. Before that setback, he was 4-6 with a 4.85 ERA in 16 starts.
The 28-year-old Adduci was called up following 10 seasons and 889 games in the minors. In first season in Texas organization, he spent the year at Round Rock and batted .298 with 16 home runs, 24 doubles, 65 RBI, 32 stolen bases, and 75 runs over 127 games.
Burns and Chirinos will both see their third stint with the Rangers this season, the others for Burns being May 16-21 and July 7-22. Chirinos spent both May 10-20 and June 18-July 18 with Texas.
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