The Rangers have placed right-hander Neftali Feliz on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow inflammation injury, the team announced on Monday. An MRI didn't reveal any tears, but GM Jon Daniels says Feliz will not throw for at least the next four weeks. As Anthony Andro of FOXSports Southwest tweets, Daniels says this injury could prompt the organization to reevaluate Feliz's "future role." The implication is that a return to the bullpen is a possibility.
As for more immediate consequences, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram speculates that Feliz's injury may mean a more serious look at semi-retired right-hander Roy Oswalt, whom the Rangers recently watched throw.
Feliz, in his first season as a starter, left his last start on Friday after 4 2/3 innings, having walked five and struck out six, while throwing 101 pitches -- 51 of them balls. In eight games and seven starts, Feliz has already thrown 42 2/3 innings. His previous high was 69 1/3 innings in 2010, when he saved 40 games and was named the American league's top rookie. He is 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA.
Texas recalled right-handed reliever Yoshinori Tateyama from Triple-A. The team is expected to move right-hander Scott Feldman from the bullpen to take Feliz's spot in the rotation on Wednesday in Seattle.
Feliz was shut down in spring training with shoulder tightness but was ready in time for the start of the season.
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