ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley learned that two lumps removed from his throat last week were benign, and the 35-year-old right-hander was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Kelley was placed on the injured list on May 9, and the lumps were removed Thursday. Kelley, who doesn’t use tobacco, had reported discomfort when talking and when rolling over while in bed.
“I really did feel like everything was going to be OK and that a lot of it was precaution,” he said Tuesday. “And [for the news] to come on a day when I was going to be reactivated, anyways, is pretty exciting.”
Kelley is 3-0 with two saves and a 1.29 ERA in 14 appearances in his first season with the Rangers. He said the only pain he feels is when he looks straight up, because of the two internal stitches.
“If there’s a popup on the mound, I’m going to need help,” he said with a laugh. “You’re going to see me leaning back.”
Left-hander Brett Martin was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.