Neftali Feliz Returns To The Rotation

Neftali Feliz will return to the Texas Rangers’ rotation officially on Tuesday night as he goes against Drew Hutchison and the Blue Jays in Toronto, his first start since April 21.

Since making the transition from closer--the role he’s held for the past two seasons--to starter, Texas has been monitoring Feliz’s workload closely in order to safeguard Feliz from any growing pains. At the same time, some have worried that such a long layoff will adversely affect Feliz’s performance.

To this end, Ron Washington isn’t concerned, citing the inning of relief work Neffie threw against the Yankees--he gave up one run and struck out one in this appearance--and the work he’s done in between games as the reasons why.

"He's been long-tossing, bullpens," Washington said Monday, per the Rangers’ official website. "He got that one inning in. He's fine. I don't think the rest is going to make him erratic in any sense."