Update (11:08 PM EST): Kela will, in fact, undergo elbow surgery, per Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest.
The Rangers placed reliever Keone Kela on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow impingement, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Grant adds that Kela likely needs surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow, which would keep the right-hander out for about 12 weeks.
Kela was hampered by elbow injuries towards the end of the 2015 season as well, but he said in January that he was fully recovered. He has had a rough start to the season, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks with 12 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. That includes Tuesday’s outing when he allowed solo home runs to the Astros’ Jose Altuve and George Springer in two-thirds of an inning.
Kela was a critical component of the Rangers’ bullpen last year behind closer Shawn Tolleson. He finished with a 2.39 ERA and a 68/18 K/BB ratio in 60 1/3 innings.
