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Rangers Activate Harrison, Send Chi Chi Back to Minors

Left-hander Matt Harrison was activated from the disabled list and rookie right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez was sent back to the minors by the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Texas recalled right-hander Anthony Ranaudo from Triple A-Round Rock, the club where Gonzalez was sent. Ranaudo, a starter throughout his pro career, is expected to pitch in long relief.

Harrison will start Wednesday against Arizona, his first major league start since spinal fusion surgery in June 2014. Saturday was the deadline for Harrison to be activated from the DL after his 30-day medical rehab assignment.

Texas already had a spot on its 25-man roster for Harrison after Neftali Feliz, the closer for both of the Rangers' World Series appearances, was designated for assignment after throwing two scoreless innings Friday night.

Feliz was 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 18 games this season, but his appearance in an 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night came after coming off the disabled list.

The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Feliz to the minor leagues. The right-hander can decline a move to the minors and become a free agent. General manager Jon Daniels said Texas will try to trade Feliz, the former All-Star closer who developed arm issues after the Rangers put him in the starting rotation following their 2010 and 2011 AL pennants.

The 23-year-old Gonzalez (2-4), who had a 0.90 ERA through his first four major league starts, allowed six runs in 1 2-3 innings against the Angels on Friday night.

Texas has two days off next week before the All-Star break. The move with Gonzalez was made since Harrison will pitch Wednesday and Yovani Gallardo is scheduled to stay on regular rest and pitch twice before the break. Plus, the Rangers needed a long reliever after Gonzalez's short outing.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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