Rangers designated LHP Michael Kirkman for assignment.

The move was made in order to clear room on the 40-man roster for Chris Gimenez. Kirkman was once a pretty nice prospect but holds a career 5.17 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 82 appearances at the big league level. However, he's also struck out a batter per inning and as a lefty that can throw in the mid-90s, he'll get a shot somewhere.

Rangers activated RHP Michael Kirkman from the 60-day disabled list.

Kirkman has been sidelined since early June after he experienced a recurrence of cancer near his right triceps muscle. The 26-year-old lefty posted an 8.18 ERA, 2.32 WHIP and 25/15 K/BB ratio over 22 innings with the Rangers before hitting the DL.

Rangers transferred LHP Michael Kirkman from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disables list.

Kirkman has experienced a recurrence of the cancer near his right triceps muscle and is sidelined indefinitely.

Rangers placed LHP Michael Kirkman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 7, with skin cancer.

It's a recurrence of cancer in his right triceps area that he was originally diagnosed with last January. Kirkman should ultimately be fine, but he figures to be sidelined for a while in order to receive treatment. Kyle McClellan took his spot on the roster.

Michael Kirkman will start against the Angels in Wednesday's Cactus League game.

Meanwhile, Nick Tepesch will pitch on the minor league side. The Rangers haven't made a decision about who will be their fifth starter, but it's clear that they haven't given up on Kirkman as a possibility. They are also scouting Dodgers' pitchers Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang, but the expectation is that they'll settle on an internal candidate.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels said that Michael Kirkman is a "possibility" to open the season in the starting rotation.

Kirkman hasn't allowed a run in five Cactus League appearances and could join Robbie Ross, Justin Grimm and Nick Tepesch as a candidate for the final spot in the Rangers' rotation. He pitched three perfect innings in a loss to the Mariners on Sunday and has retired 26 of 29 batters he's faced this spring.

Michael Kirkman returned to action on Saturday July 14.

Michael Kirkman left Sunday's game against the Twins in the 10th inning with a mild strain of his left quadriceps.

He injured himself while running to cover first base. The 25-year-old right-hander will have several days to rest with the All-Star break upon us.

Michael Kirkman will not require any more treatments for skin cancer.

Good news. Kirkman was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer in January, but he received his last treatment on Thursday. The 25-year-old right-hander has two shutout frames with the Rangers since being recalled from the minors 10 days ago.

Rangers recalled LHP Michael Kirkman from Triple-A Round Rock.

He'll replace the injured Alexi Ogando (groin) on the active roster. Kirkman, 25, has a 5.25 ERA in eight starts and seven relief appearances at the Triple-A level this year. He was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer in January, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Michael Kirkman was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer in January.

Kirkman is allowed to participate in full baseball activity while undergoing treatment and is expected to make a full recovery. The 25-year-old left-hander has made 29 appearances in the majors over the past two seasons and has a 6.68 ERA and 33/24 K/BB raito over 31 innings as a starter and reliever this year with Triple-A Round Rock.

Rangers optioned LHP Michael Kirkman to Triple-A Round Rock.

Kirkman yielded 18 hits and 13 runs in 13 1/3 innings this spring, pitching his way out of an Opening Day bullpen job. But he should be up at some point this summer.

Michael Kirkman continued to struggle this spring, surrendering four runs (three earned) on five hits in 1 1/3 innings Sunday against the Angels.

The reliever gave up the lead in the eighth inning, and then gave up another lead in the ninth to lose the game. "Today he just wasn't very good," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "He left too many balls up ... He's been on-and-off [in spring training]." Kirkman pitched poorly after a September call-up last season, and now sports an 8.71 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 10 1/3 spring frames.

Rangers optioned LHP Michael Kirkman to Triple-A Round Rock.

Kirkman has struggled mightily this season for the Rangers with a 7.33 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. The southpaw has totaled 23 1/3 innings in the big leagues and will look to iron out the kinks in Triple-A.

Rangers optioned LHP Michael Kirkman to Triple-A Round Rock.

Kirkman spent five days with the big club earlier this season and was sent back to the minors after allowing six runs in one relief appearance. He'll give the Rangers another left-hander out of the bullpen.

Rangers optioned LHP Michael Kirkman to Triple-A Round Rock.

Kirkman spent about five days in the major leagues, allowing six runs in one relief appearance. He'll head back to the minors to work on some things.

Rangers recalled LHP Michael Kirkman from Triple-A Round Rock.

Kirkman will provide some help out of the bullpen while Colby Lewis is on paternity leave. He'll almost surely be sent back down Monday when Lewis returns, but he still figures to be a contributor for the Rangers this season.

Rangers optioned LHP Michael Kirkman to Triple-A Round Rock.

Kirkman was in the mix for a rotation spot this spring, but will begin the season in the minors after posting a 5.56 ERA over 11 1/3 innings. This move leaves Tommy Hunter, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz competing for the final three spots in the starting rotation.

Michael Kirkman had an impressive three relief innings against the Diamondbacks Saturday, holding them scoreless on two hits.

The southpaw registered two strikeouts while walking one. Kirkman excelled down the stretch for the Rangers last year as a reliever after posting a 3.09 ERA while striking out a batter per inning at Triple-A as a starter. He has an outside shot to win a rotation spot this spring, a possibility that will become greater if Brandon Webb isn't ready.

Michael Kirkman yielded three runs and three hits in two innings against the Royals in Monday's charity game.

Kirkman is trying to overtake Derek Holland for a rotation spot, but it looks like there could be room for both if Brandon Webb starts off on the disabled list. Even with Rangers Ballpark working against him, Kirkman is a sleeper in AL-only leagues.