Rangers reinstate RHP Joakim Soria and recall RHP Cory Burns

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced today the following four roster moves:

• RHP Joakim Soria (#28) reinstated from 60-day disabled list
• RHP Cory Burns (#57) recalled from Triple-A Round Rock
• DH Lance Berkman placed on 15-day disabled list with left hip inflammation
• RHP Nick Tepesch placed on 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, retroactive to Saturday

Soria, 29, will be looking to make his Rangers debut. He began the year on the 15-day disabled list as he continued rehabilitation from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow on April 3, 2012. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on June 9. Soria suffered a strained right pectoral muscle while rehabbing in Arizona in late April, which slowed his return timetable. He made a total of 7 appearances on injury rehab assignments with the Arizona League Rangers (1), Double-A Frisco (4), and Triple-A Round Rock (2), combining to post no record with 7.0 shutout innings. Opponents went just 1-for-22 (.045) with no walks and 8 strikeouts. His last outings came with Frisco on Wednesday and Thursday vs. Arkansas, retiring all 6 batters faced on just 14 pitches in the 2 appearances.

Soria was signed by Texas to a two-year contract with a club option for 2015 on December 4, 2012. He has gone 13-15 with 160 saves and a 2.40 ERA (84 ER/315.1 IP) over 298 career appearances in the major leagues, all with Kansas City. His last big league appearance came on September 11, 2011 at Seattle, when he recorded a save with a scoreless 9th inning.

Burns, 25, will be in his second stint with Texas, as he allowed 2 runs over 3 games and 3.2 innings during his first stint from May 16-21. He is 0-1 with a 1.05 ERA (3 ER/25.2 IP) in 26 relief appearances for Round Rock this season, converting 16 of 17 save chances, with just 5 walks against 34 strikeouts. Burns has made 3 appearances since a two-week stint on the Round Rock disabled list in late June, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. He recorded a save with a scoreless 9th inning in his last game on Friday vs. Omaha (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 20 pitches/11 strikes).

Berkman is batting .254 with 6 home runs and 34 RBI in 68 games with Texas this season, but has played in just 8 of the club's last 19 games beginning June 16. He has a team-leading 61 starts at designated hitter. The first date he would be eligible to return is July 22.

Tepesch has gone 4-6 with a 4.85 ERA (46 ER/85.1 IP) in 16 games/starts for Texas this season in his major league debut. He won his last start on Friday vs. Houston (5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R-ER). The first date he would be eligible to return is July 21.

With these moves, the Rangers still have 39 players on the club's 40-man roster.