Feliz Goes Two, Ks Four In Rehab Start

Neftali Feliz took the mound for the first time since May 18 on Monday night, getting the start for Double-A Round Rock Express against San Antonio--the first start of his rehab assignment--and looked pretty promising, if not a little wild at times.

Feliz, who has been recovering from a elbow inflammation for around two months now, went two innings for the Roughriders, surrendering a hit, a run and two walks. He struck out four, threw 25 of 40 pitches for strikes and threw a fastball that registered between 93 and 96 MPH on the radar gun.

"I was trying to keep my pitches low and, of course, throw strikes," Feliz said, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I had gone a long time without pitching from the mound, but I was trying to practice all of my pitches."

The Rangers have openly stated their plan to “stretch Feliz out” in his rehab, so to speak, in preparation for the 24-year-old returning to the starting rotation. But whether he will start once he comes off the disabled list has yet to be decided, and may hinge on the health of the rest of the rotation at the time of his return to the Big Club.

"The first thing is to be healthy," Feliz said. "I want to be ready to help the team. I'm trying to be ready as soon as I can and help the team in any way. I haven't been told anything.

"I just have to do my rehab and work to get healthy and be better. All I know is my next outing is on Friday at Round Rock."