Rangers activate 1B-OF Kyle Blanks from disabled list

Oakland, Calif. - The Texas Rangers announced this morning that the club has reinstated first baseman-outfielder Kyle Blanks from the 15-day disabled list. Blanks will be active for this afternoon's game in Oakland.

To make room for Blanks on the active roster, right-handed pitcher Spencer Patton has been optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

Blanks was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 22, retroactive to May 20, after having a surgical procedure on May 22 in New York to address a pilonidal cyst in the area of his tailbone that had been bothering him. He has been working out with the club during this road trip. Blanks has batted .322 with 3 home runs and 6 RBI in 15 games/starts for the Rangers this season since having his contract purchased from Triple-A Round Rock on April 29. He batted .327 (17-52) with 3 home runs, 7 doubles, and 11 RBI in 16 games for the Express to begin the year.

Patton has not appeared in a game since being recalled by Texas on June 7. He had allowed 3 runs in 3.0 innings in 2 appearances with the Rangers in his previous 2015 stint from May 4-14.

In addition, the Rangers have released LHP Mike Kickham from the Round Rock roster. Kickham was claimed on waivers from Seattle on May 5 and assigned outright to Round Rock on May 9. He was 1-0, 6.00 in 7 relief outings for the Express.