The Rangers bullpen will be getting some much needed help when the second half of the season starts up this weekend in Chicago against the Cubs.
Pitcher Keone Kela is expected to be activated off the disabled list on Friday. The 23-year old flamethrower has been on the DL since April with an elbow injury that required surgery.
Kela looked sharp during his rehab stints in Double-A Frisco. He appeared in three games with the Roughriders, allowing one hit and striking out four in three innings. Kela also appeared to pass the “pitching in back-to-back games” test which was crucial for his return.
The fastball had velocity to it and the curveball was sharp enough for the Rangers to feel comfortable bringing Kela back. He was 1-0 with a 7.11 ERA and 12 strikeouts in over six innings of work prior to going on the DL.
Last season, Kela was 7-5 with a 2.39 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 68 games, mostly in middle-to-late relief work for the Rangers.
