ARLINGTON -- Reliever Sam Dyson was back with the Rangers on Wednesday and is expected to be activated as early as Friday off the 10-day disabled list. He has been sidelined with a contusion on his right hand and made two appearances for Triple-A Round Rock on Monday and Tuesday.
Dyson pitched a combined two innings and allowed one run on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
"Well, I did well on about 92 percent of my pitches," Dyson said. "And then the other eight percent, I don't know what happened. My hand is still connected. Nothing is broken. Much better."
The Rangers weren't concerned about the hand as much as they were with Dyson regaining the effectiveness that made him a premier reliever over the past two years. That effectiveness has eluded him so far this season and he has relinquished the closer's role to Matt Bush.
Banister said the two outings in Round Rock were similar.
"The velocity [on Tuesday] was not quite at the level it was the night before," Banister said. "But velocity is not the only determining factor in Sam's success. There was some sink and [movement]. But I don't think it still had the power sinker look to it.
"Sometimes guys go on a rehab outing and the excitement and adrenaline, as much as we would like it to be the same as here, it's fool's gold when you look at it. There are guys whose stuff is better, and performance is better, here."
Dyson said the trip to Round Rock was a positive experience.
"I got to hang out with the people I didn't get to hang out with before," Dyson said. "I've never pitched in Round Rock before, so it was a cool experience. Just regroup the mind and body and go. I've thrown a lot over the last week, so physically I don't feel like I've missed a beat. Yeah, I'm definitely ready to come back up here and contribute."
Dyson has pitched in six games for the Rangers and allowed 13 runs. His ERA is 27.00.
"Well, I need about 40 zeros in a row to come back to earth," Dyson said. "I think I normally pitch the same every day. Effectiveness is up to me, but it's also ... I guess some decision-making on my part is to be aggressive in the strike zone and challenge guys, rather than nibble and pitch around contact."
Rangers beat
• The Rangers announced that Nick Martinez will start against the Angels on Friday. A.J. Griffin, who is on the disabled list because of swelling in his left ankle, will start for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.
• Outfielder Nomar Mazara turned 22 on Wednesday.
• Alex Claudio pitched two more scoreless innings on Tuesday, and entering Wednesday, he has not allowed a run in 10 innings. He and Orioles reliever Brad Brach are the only two relievers in the Major Leagues who have pitched at least 10 innings and not allowed a run.