Rangers add seven as rosters expand

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers activated seven players Sunday as rosters expanded, and they plan to bring more players later on in the final month of the season.

Lance Berkman and Nick Tepesch were reinstated from the 15-day disabled list, Michael Kirkman and Neftali Feliz returned from the 60-day disabled list, Cory Burns and Robinson Chirinos were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock and Jim Adduci's contract was purchased from Triple-A Round Rock.

To make room on their 40-man roster, the Rangers designated Joe Benson for assignment and unconditionally released Justin Miller.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said before Sunday's game that he would use Berkman in a pinch-hit situation against the Twins. He's been on the disabled list since July 7 with left hip inflammation. Tepesch will start out of the bullpen after recovering from right elbow inflammation, and he is a possible starter, though he didn't throw more than 59 pitches in a rehab start.

"You've got to be ready to pitch when you're called upon," Tepesch said of his bullpen role. "It's a little like having a plan set out when you're going to pitch every day."

Feliz recovered from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Aug. 1, 2012. He threw 10 2/3 scoreless innings over eight rehab outings in the Arizona Rookie League and Round Rock. Kirkman returned as he dealt with a form of skin cancer during the season. He was placed on the disabled list on June 7 with a recurrence of cutaneous lymphoma. Kirkman went 2-3 with a 6.98 ERA over six games (five starts) with Round Rock on his rehab assignment.

Washington said the team plans to add more players soon. Ross Wolf is likely to return after he was optioned to Round Rock before the series against the Twins to make room for Joseph Ortiz. Engel Beltre could be another possible option for Texas.