The Rangers have announced that Michael Kirkman has been placed on the 15 day disabled list with a recurrence of the skin cancer problem he was diagnosed with last year. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have purchased the contract of righthanded pitcher Kyle McClellan. Joakim Soria has been transferred to the 60 day d.l. to make room for McClellan, a procedural move that isn't going to impact Soria's anticipated return, since Soria has already spent 60 days on the disabled list, and this move is retroactive.

McClellan, 28, was a 25th round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2002 draft, and had been with them in the majors from 2008-12. He pitched mostly in relief, with a couple of quality seasons in 2009 and 2010 mixed in with some not so good seasons. McClellan missed most of 2012 with an elbow injury and with a torn labrum that required surgery.

There seemed to be a lot of excitement among the beat reporters this spring about McClellan, who the Rangers signed to a minor league deal, and the sense was that he would win a roster spot, either as the team's fifth starter or in the bullpen. But injuries slowed him this spring, and he only started pitching in the minors on May 17.

McClellan has a 2.00 ERA in 9 innings split between Frisco and Round Rock this year.