Rangers’ Neftali Feliz Suffers Setback

Neftali Feliz, the Rangers closer-turned starter, was hoping to rejoin the team soon.  However, he suffered a

setback in his pitching elbow and was scratched from his rehab start Sunday.  Feliz felt some discomfort in his elbow prior to his start.

Feliz was originally placed on the DL with inflammation to the ulnar collateral ligament – the same ligament that when torn requires Tommy John surgery to repair.  The Rangers have been very careful with Feliz in his transition to the rotation and with this injury.  The setback has to be disappointing to the Rangers, but Feliz’s long-term health and ability to pitch during the stretch and in the postseason should be the priority.

Feliz is 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA this season in seven starts.  He’s pithed 42 2.3 innings this season which is only 20 short of his 2011 total out of the bullpen.  Feliz saved 40 games for the rangers in 2010 and 32 last season.  It became clear midway through last season that the Rangers would grant Feliz’s with to become a starter, and they moved him to the rotation this year.

Feliz was set to rejoin the Ranger’s rotation as soon as this week, but depending on the results of further evaluation, he could be delayed in his return.

The Rangers are 59-41 with a 4.5 game lead over the A’s and a 5 game lead over the Angels.  The Angels have, however, added Zack Greinke and have a young, talented lineup.  They are not done by any means.  The A’s have been a surprise story all year.  Texas could use Feliz back in the rotation to help maintain their perch atop the American League West.

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