Scott Feldman Rejects Minor League Assignment; Joins Rangers Pen
By Editorial Staff
Scott Feldman is back with the Rangers after rejecting a minor league assignment yesterday. Instead of remaining a starter in Triple-A, Feldman has joined the Rangers’ bullpen.
Texas wanted Feldman to continue his stay in the minors because it would allow him to pitch every fifth day instead of sporadically out of the pen. That way the Rangers would have some insurance if one of their starters became injured as the summer progresses.
"“In a vacuum, we had prioritized the sixth starter as a bigger need than a long man,” Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels said. “But to send him to the minors right now was the only way to keep him starting. [Feldman] said he was ready and wanted to help the team now. He’s worked extremely hard to get back.”"
Because Feldman has accrued over 5 years of major league service time, he had the option to accept or reject the Rangers’ plan. The 28 year old did not want to return to the minors as a starter, but instead help the team out of the pen.
After being notified of Feldman’s decision, Texas could either release Feldman and take on his remaining salary, or activate him and use him as a reliever. Daniels made it clear that they never had any intention of releasing the veteran.
Feldman’s best year as a starter came in 2009 when he maintained an ERA just above 4 over 31 starts for the Rangers. He struggled last season and required surgery on his right knee two days after the World Series concluded.
He’s since been recovering and had been on minor league rehab assignment. Over 10 starts between Double and Triple-A this season Feldman has held an ERA of 4.17 over 49.2 innings of work.
To make room for Feldman on their roster the Rangers optioned reliever Darren O’Day to Triple-A. O’Day started off the season well but was sidelined by a hip injury at the end of April. The right hander has allowed 3 ER over 3.1 innings since returning from surgery on the hip in early July.
I know it could look like Feldman is unwilling to be a team player here, but I can understand where the guy is coming from.
It might make more sense for the team to have him stashed away in the minors as a 6th starter. But Feldman has put all of his effort into making it back to the bigs this offseason and as a competitor may feel that he is more valuable for the club at the major league level, even if it means coming out of the pen.
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