Kela called up to Double-A

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (MAY 3, 2014) - The Texas Rangers announced transactions on Saturday that affect the roster of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Right-handed pitcher Keone Kela has been promoted from the Pelicans to Double-A Frisco. In a corresponding move, Abel De Los Santos, also a right-handed pitcher, has been transferred from Class-A Hickory to Myrtle Beach.

Kela, 21, earns his first promotion to Double-A. The right-handed reliever out of Los Angeles, California went 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA for the Pelicans in a team-high eight appearances, all out of the bullpen. In 10.1 innings pitched for Myrtle Beach he struck out 13 and walked four. At the time of his departure from the team, he was tied for third in the Carolina League with five saves and held the longest stretch of consecutive batters retired by a Pelicans reliever this season (14), which he set over three outings from April 14 through April 24. Kela is ranked by Baseball America as the number 18 prospect in the Rangers farm system with the "Best Fastball," according to the same publication, among Rangers farmhands. Kela pitched across three levels last season and is in his third year with Texas after the Rangers selected him in the 12th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Everett Community College.

De Los Santos, 21, earns his first trip to the Advanced-A level. The right-hander spent the entirety of the last two seasons in Class A-Short Season with the Spokane Indians. On the Opening Day Roster for the Hickory Crawdads this season, De Los Santos posted an 0-1 record with a 1.69 ERA, fifth lowest on the team, in a team-leading eight appearances. Over 10.2 innings pitched, the Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic native fanned 12 and walked one batter. He surrendered three runs, two earned, on seven hits. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2010, De Los Santos is in his fifth professional season.

The Pelicans play game three of the series with the Keys on Saturday night at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-2, 3.62 ERA) gets the nod for the Pelicans against Frederick right-hander Parker Bridwell (0-3, 7.56 ERA). The game can be heard live on WRNN AM 1450 ESPN Myrtle Beach and on the TuneIn Radio App, with the Hampton Inn Pregame Show beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Season Seats, Mini Plans, Flex Books, and single game tickets are still available to see the Pelicans in 2014. For more information on tickets, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail [email protected], visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or visit the Pelicans box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.