Matt Bush has been activated from the d.l.

The Texas Rangers have activated relief pitcher Matt Bush from the 10 day disabled list. Bush had been on the d.l. since the late-August collision between himself and third baseman Joey Gallo, that resulted in Gallo having a broken nose and concussion-like symptons, and Bush having a strained knee.

Bush’s return is a shot in the arm to a bullpen that has been thin and beleaguered of late. Jose Leclerc, who was a stalwart early in the year, has seen his control abandon him in recent weeks, and Jeff Banister isn’t likely to use him in any sort of meaningful situation at this point. Jake Diekman was activated at the beginning of September and joined Alex Claudio as reliable lefty options out of the pen, but Ricky Rodriguez appears to be the top late-inning righthanded option for Banister.

Keone Kela is supposed to throw another bullpen before he is activated, but should be back sometime this week. With Bush and Kela joining Diekman and Claudio at the back end of the bullpen, and with Tony Barnette holding down the middle relief innings, the Ranger bullpen suddenly looks more like the bullpen of a playoff contender again.