Major League Baseball

Rangers recall Kirkman, outright Tomko

Published May. 27, 2011 11:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Texas Rangers recalled left-hander Michael Kirkman from Triple-A Round Rock and out-righted right-hander Brett Tomko to the same club prior to Friday night's game against the Kansas City Royals.

Kirkman went 1-3 with a 5.35 ERA in 10 games for Round Rock. He's in his second stint with the Rangers this season, having allowed six runs in 1 2-3 innings on April 19.

Kirkman had a 1.65 ERA in 14 games out of the Texas bullpen last season.

Manager Ron Washington said Kirkman will take some of the workload from the Rangers' two veteran left-handed relievers, 40-year-old Darren Oliver and 41-year-old Arthur Rhodes.

''Trying to protect the two lefties we've got,'' Washington said. ''They've been getting the ball pretty often.''

Tomko went 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA in eight bullpen outings after his contract was purchased from Round Rock on April 20. He cleared waivers and accepted the minor league assignment, with the possibility of rejoining the Rangers later in the season.

Right-hander Brandon Webb had his final bullpen session Friday before he begins a minor league rehab assignment. He's scheduled to start for Double-A Frisco on Monday night.

The 2006 NL Cy Young winner for the Arizona Diamondbacks is currently on the 60-day disabled list. He's attempting to come back from right rotator cuff surgery in August 2009.

Washington monitored Webb's bullpen stint and said, ''I see progress.''

Right-handers Scott Feldman and Tommy Hunter also threw in the bullpen Friday, but neither has been scheduled for a minor league rehab assignment. Feldman (right knee surgery) and Hunter (strained right groin) are both on the 15-day disabled list.

Washington also kept a close watch on slugger Josh Hamilton, who shagged balls and is close to playing in the outfield again. Hamilton has been the designated hitter in each of his three games since returning from a 36-game absence due to a broken bone in his right shoulder.

Hamilton has said he'll resume his spot in left field sometime this weekend, and is expected to play the position on Saturday night.

Center fielder Julio Borbon is getting closer to a return from the 15-day disabled list due to a sore left hamstring, but he needs to test the leg in the outfield and on the bases before he can begin a minor-league rehab assignment.