Neftali Feliz to DL; Rangers Recall Yoshinori Tateyama

Neftali Feliz has been placed on the Texas Rangers 15-day disabled list due to elbow inflammation.  Feliz, who experienced discomfort during his most recent start, underwent an MRI yesterday.  The Rangers have said that Feliz will miss at least the next month as they plan on shutting him down for the time being.  Yoshinori Tateyama has been recalled from Triple-A and Scott Feldman will take Feliz’s spot in the Rangers rotation.

Following Friday’s start against the Houston Astros, Feliz said he was never able to get comfortable.  Over his 4 2/3 innings pitched, Feliz walked five and hit a batter while throwing only 50 of his 101 pitches for strikes.

Feliz made the transition from closer to starter this offseason and began the year as a member of the Rangers starting five.  Prior to hitting the DL the switch had gone well, as Feliz had posted an ERA and WHIP of 3.16 and 1.20 over his 42 2/3 innings pitched.

The Rangers are planning on shutting Feliz down for four weeks.  At that point he will be re-examined to see how his elbow’s responded to the time off.

Feldman has worked mostly out of the Rangers ‘pen for the past two seasons, though the right-hander has been a spot starter for Texas.  From 2008-2010 Feldman started 78 games for the Rangers.  Over his 15 innings pitched this season, Feldman has posted an ERA and WHIP of 3.00 and 1.267.

Tateyama made his major league debut with the Rangers last season, maintaining an ERA and WHIP of 4.50 and 1.091.  The 36-year-old started the 2012 season in Triple-A, where he posted impressive numbers; 0.54 ERA, 0.960 WHIP.

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