Shawn Kelley activated, Locke St. John optioned

Texas Rangers transactions: Shawn Kelley, Rangers relief pitcher, has been activated from the 10 day injured list, the Rangers announced today. To make room for him on the active roster, relief pitcher Locke St. John has been optioned to AAA Nashville.

Kelley has been one of the Rangers’ best relievers this year, putting up a 3.00 ERA in 33 IP, and has handled the closer role when he has been healthy. He was on the injured list for right biceps soreness, having left the game on July 21 after warming up due to pain he felt.

Kelley will presumably resume the closer role, with Jose Leclerc moving into a setup or fireman role. St. John, meanwhile, seems likely to be activated for game two of the doubleheader as the 26th man, and then be optioned again immediately thereafter.

UPDATE — Locke St. John was added to the roster as the 26th man for the second game of the doubleheader, as expected. Because he hadn’t spent 10 days in the minors since being optioned, he is required to be returned to the minors after Game 2.