ARLINGTON -- Jeremy Jeffress was activated off the 10-day disabled list before Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, the Rangers announced. To make room on the 25-man roster, Ernesto Frieri was designated for assignment.
Jeffress had been on the DL since June 22 after he tweaked his lat when warming up during a game. He was diagnosed with a small tear, but after a rough first few days, Jeffress said it's not bothering him anymore.
"All my rehab was phenomenal," Jeffress said. "I didn't throw for three days in the beginning. Right after that, my core work, my hip work, all that stuff just stemmed and it came back fine."
Jeffress' injury was among the latest in a long rash of problems for the Rangers' pitching staff. They've had pitchers go on the DL 16 separate times so far this season, but oddly enough, Keone Kela, who went on the DL on Monday with right shoulder soreness, is the only one to be sidelined with an issue related to a shoulder problem.
"It's somewhat puzzling though," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "It's puzzling that it's the oblique type deal. Whether it's coincidental or …they've been trending towards the more bizarre side of things."
The problem most Rangers pitchers seem to have is a plague of oblique injuries more than anything. Counting Jeffress, five disabled list trips this year have been because of an injury to the abdominal, rib cage or oblique area.
Cole Hamels was out from March 30 until June 26 with a right oblique strain, Andrew Cashner missed 13 days in June with a left oblique strain and A.J. Griffin is currently on the 60-day DL with a left intercostal strain.
Rangers beat
• Preston Claiborne, who was called up in place of Jeffress, accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock after clearing waivers. He appeared in one game with the Rangers, giving up five hits and three earned runs.
• Martin Perez won't make another start before the All-Star break, so Banister said there is a possibility of having him available out of the bullpen in games leading up the break.