ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -The Rangers made a series of roster moves to help their overworked bullpen before Wednesday night’s game against Cleveland, recalling right-hander Kameron Loe from Triple-A Oklahoma and purchasing the contract of right-hander Elizardo Ramirez from the same club.
The Rangers also placed rookie left-hander A.J. Murray on the 15-day disabled list with a left rotator cuff strain and optioned infielder Travis Metcalf to Oklahoma.
Texas relievers had logged a major league-high 218 1-3 innings entering Wednesday night’s game, including 6 2-3 in Tuesday night’s 12-7 win over the Indians. The Rangers’ bullpen has allowed 19 earned runs in the previous three games.
“We’ve had a couple of days where our starters just haven’t been giving us innings,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said.
Loe is in his second stint with the Rangers this season. He’s 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in two relief appearances, and was 2-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 17 games for Oklahoma.
Ramirez will be making his American League debut, but appeared in 38 games for Philadelphia and Cincinnati. A non-roster invitee to Rangers spring training, he was 5-3 with a 3.65 ERA in 12 games for Oklahoma.
Ramirez will be the 22nd pitcher used by the Rangers this season, three short of the total for last year’s team.
Murray left his start Tuesday night against Cleveland in the third inning. He has spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma, and was 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in two starts for Texas. He is expected to be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days.
“I felt it in the second, then went out for the third because I knew the bullpen was taxed and we needed innings,” said Murray, who missed the 2004 and 2006 seasons because of left shoulder surgeries. “But (in the third) I couldn’t throw anymore. I hope it’s just sore.”
Metcalf was recalled from Oklahoma last Thursday and went 0-for-8 in two games in his second stint with Texas this season. He opened the season on the 15-day disabled list with a torn left hamstring sustained in spring training.
Washington said right-hander Vicente Padilla will return from Nicaragua on Thursday and will start Friday night against Tampa Bay. He was on bereavement leave this week while he attended to a personal family matter at his off-season home.
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