Major League Baseball

Rangers activate Berkman, 3 pitchers

Published Sep. 1, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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The AL West-leading Texas Rangers have gotten back a veteran designated hitter and three pitchers from the disabled list in time for the pennant chase.

Designated hitter Lance Berkman was activated from the DL on Sunday, along with right-handers Neftali Felix and Nick Tepesch, and left-hander Michael Kirkman. Those were among seven additions the Rangers made the first day rosters could expand to more than 25 players.

Berkman had been out since July 7 with left hip inflammation and his sore surgically repaired right knee. But he wasn't in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against Minnesota, since Ron Washington said that had already been set as a DH day for third baseman Adrian Beltre. Berkman's last game action was Aug. 14, after hitting .364 in a stretch of four minor league rehab games in a five-day stretch.

Before going on the DL, Berkman hit .254 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in 68 games.

Feliz, who hasn't pitched in the majors since May 2012 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, was back in the Rangers bullpen. He was the closer for Texas during consecutive World Series (2010 and 2011) before moving into the starting rotation, then made only seven starts before a torn elbow ligament.

Rookie starter Tepesch (4-6, 4.85 ERA in 16 starts) has been out since July 6 with right elbow inflammation. He's worked up to about 60 pitches in minor league games and for now will pitch out of the bullpen. He had never pitched about Double-A before earning No. 5 spot in the starting rotation during spring training.

Kirkman (0-2, 8.18 ERA in 25 games) had been out a month longer after a recurrence of lymphoma.

Texas purchased the contract of outfielder-first baseman Jim Adduci from Triple-A Round Rock. After 10 minor league seasons in the Miami, Chicago Cubs and Rangers organizations, he was in the lineup batting sixth and playing left field for his major league debut Sunday.

Right-hander Cory Burns and catcher Robinson Chirinos were recalled from Round Rock.

Burns was 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in nine relief appearances for Texas earlier this season. Chirinos played in 10 games, the last a start at first base July 9 at Baltimore.

To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Justin Miller was released unconditionally and outfielder Joe Benson was designated for assignment.

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