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Keone Kela to begin season as Rangers' primary closer

The Rangers will begin the season with Keone Kela as the primary closer.

But Kevin Jepsen will also be available, just in case.

"Keone has as good stuff as there is out there," manager Jeff Banister said Thursday. "It's the consistency of being available."

The Rangers do not plan for Kela - or any of their relievers - to pitch on three consecutive days early in the season. When Kela has had a heavy workload, Banister plans to turn to the veteran Jepsen, who impressed the Rangers this spring despite not pitching in the majors last year.