Report: Rangers' Kela demoted for being 'clubhouse cancer'

The Texas Rangers demoted reliever Keone Kela to Triple-A Round Rock prior to Opening Day in a pretty surprising move, and more details have emerged about why, with Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram citing sources that claim Kela is a "clubhouse cancer" and that the team's players overwhelmingly supported the decision to ship him out.

Kela put up five innings of scoreless work over spring training, allowing just four baserunners. The Rangers opted to open the 2017 season with a seven-man bullpen that would not include Kela for what was originally reported as a disciplinary move.

"He has an excuse for everything," one source told Wilson. Kela's teammates called out the 23-year-old reliever's work ethic after he "rushed through his inning" during his final spring outing. Kela responded to that criticism, reportedly saying that he didn't want to get injured prior to the season.

Wilson adds that Kela "blew up again" later and was not allowed to fly with his teammates on the team charter.

While Rangers general manager Jon Daniels assured the press the Kela demotion was "not a permanent thing," these new reports are pretty damning of Kela's clubhouse presence.