KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf had a bothersome right groin in spring training, and it kept him off the Texas Rangers’ Opening Day roster.
The ailment is acting up again, and the Rangers placed Ohlendorf on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a right groin strain.
“This isn’t as bad as it was in spring training,” Ohlendorf said, “but I don’t want to have a relapse like I did in spring training. I was in the bullpen starting to get ready, and it just felt like it was a bad idea to try to pitch through it.”
Ohlendorf picked up a victory in relief May 31, his first win since Sept. 13, 2013, and he earned his first professional save May 22. He is 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in eight relief appearances, and he has nine strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.
“Ross said something to us early enough so we feel like we shut him down soon enough,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.
In Ohlendorf’s absence, right-handers Tanner Scheppers and Keone Kela likely will handle the eighth-inning setup opportunities.
Kela was assigned the eighth inning in a tie game Sunday, but he gave up a game-winning home run to catcher Salvador Perez in Texas’ 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Right-hander Spencer Patton was called up to filled Ohlendorf’s spot in the bullpen. Patton had an 0.53 ERA for Triple-A Round Rock this season.