Texas Rangers place LHP Michael Kirkman on 15-Day Disabled List; Purchase the contract of RHP Kle McClellan from Triple-A Round Rock

The Texas Rangers today announced the following roster moves:

--Placed LHP Michael Kirkman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Friday

--Purchased the contract of RHP Kyle McClellan (#37) from Triple-A Round Rock

--Transferred RHP Joakim Soria from the 15 to the 60-day disabled list to make room for McClellan on 40-man roster

Kirkman has a recurrence of a cutaneous lymphoma located in the area of his right triceps. He is expected to begin treatment shortly and will be able to participate in baseball activities during this time. A complete recovery is anticipated, but there is no timetable for his return.

The Rangers ask everyone to respect Michael's and his family's privacy during this time.

McClellan, who turns 29 next Wednesday, is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA (7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO) and 2 saves in 4 opportunities in 6 relief appearances with the Express. He has allowed one run in 4.0 innings over his last 4 appearances beginning May 28. That includes his last 2 outings, June 3-4 vs. Nashville (0 R/2.0 IP). Left-handed batters are 0-for-10 off him at Round Rock.

McClellan was signed by Texas as a minor league free agent on January 15, 2013 and came to major league spring training camp as a non-roster invitee. He made just one appearance before being sidelined on March 16 with a strained right lat muscle. McClellan opened the season on Round Rock's disabled list before being activated and assigned to Double-A Frisco on May 16. He made 2 scoreless relief appearances (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) before his promotion to Round Rock on May 20.

McClellan is 19-23 with a 3.69 ERA in 261 games/17 starts, all with St. Louis from 2008-13. He appeared in just 16 games for the Cardinals in 2012 (0-1, 5.30) before undergoing surgery to repair a frayed labrum and split in his right shoulder capsule on July 10. His last appearance for the Cardinals was last May 17. He won a career high 12 games for the 2011 World Champion Cardinals in 43 games/17 starts. McClellan was originally selected by St. Louis in the June 2002 First Year Player Draft.

Soria has spent the entire 2013 season on the disabled list as he continues to rehab from "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery on April 3, 2012. His progress was delayed by a pectoral strain in May but he has resumed throwing bullpens at the Rangers complex in Surprise, AZ.

Kirkman is 0-2, 8.18 in 25 relief appearances with the Rangers in 2013.