 It's settled, Neftali Feliz will start the year on the Rangers roster and in the bullpen.
When Feliz was summoned to manager Ron Washington's office for the news this weekend, he thought he was being sent to the Oklahoma City.
After blowing away Colorado in the ninth inning Monday, Feliz had the following to say (translated by CF Julio Borbon),
"I saw a couple of guys go in and when they came out, they were packing stuff for the minors. I wasn't upset, but I was already thinking about what I needed to do to get back here."
Feliz came out focused on Monday. On the way to striking out the side in the ninth inning, Feliz pounded the zone with fastballs. He hit 100mph three times and 101mph three times as well. Feliz threw 15 pitches in the inning, 11 for strikes.
"I was trying to guide the ball and be too fine when I was pitching as a starter," Feliz said. "I just really had to get in that state of being a reliever."
Feliz will have a big test on Tuesday when he pitches again in a minor league game. Feliz has pitched on back-to-back days just once as a pro and never in the majors. Since his call up last August, the Rangers had given him at least one day off between outings.
Feliz will have an important role this season as the 8th inning guy and will no doubt be called upon to save a few games as well. The Rangers need to know that he can pitch on consecutive days when needed.
"There are a lot of times when I throw and the next day I feel even better," Feliz said. "I'm not worried about that."
This may not have been the best news for fantasy participants who wanted Feliz to start, but this is great news for the Rangers. Look for Neftali Feliz to be pitching in big spots this year. The Rangers are not known for their pitching, but they have a gem in Feliz.
Let's hope the Rangers don't mess with the kid like the Yankees did with Joba Chamberlain.- Blake Kearny
Blake is a retired baseball scout (34 years) from Los Angeles, California. He currently runs a baseball school for children in Los Angeles.
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