Late last week, the Texas Rangers got some welcomed news when closer-turned-starter Neftali Feliz played catch for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery back in June after going 3-1 as a starter for the first time in the bigs.
Feliz is hopeful to return sometime this summer, probably some time in July if his rehab stays on schedule, but the soft toss at Rangers Ballpark — as pedestrian as it sounds — was a landmark moment for Feliz.
"I'm trying to get ready and be in the best shape and be ready to play," Feliz told MLB.com's Todd Wills through an interpreter.
The 24-year-old was the 2010 AL Rookie of the Year after he amassed 40 saves for the Rangers and was an above average closer in 2011. In 2012, Feliz moved to the starting rotation and pitched pretty well, going 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA before being shut down in June and undergoing the arm surgery.
