Feliz out with sprained UCL: The Rangers placed starting pitcher Neftali Feliz on the 15-day DL on Monday due to a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Feliz had an MRI on his elbow Monday. Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said Feliz will not throw for four weeks before beginning a throwing program to rebuild arm strength, reports MLB.com. He is expected to be sidelined until the All-Star break. "We've just got to get him well," said Rangers manager Ron Washington, who found out Feliz was hurting Saturday in Houston. "We certainly were looking forward to him taking the ball throughout the whole year. I think what happened we can't do anything about. Now the key is to get healthy." Scott Feldman will replace Feliz in the rotation Wednesday against the Mariners and Yoshinori Tateyama has been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take Feliz's roster spot. (Updated 05/21/2012)
Injury Report
Elbow - 15-day DL. Out until at least early June (Updated - 5/21/12)
Fantasy Analysis
Feliz, who transitioned this year from the bullpen to the rotation, was shut down for a few days during spring training because of tightness in his shoulder. However, his latest injury will likely keep him sidelined until the All-Star break or longer, which is a tough blow for Fantasy owners and the Rangers. Texas will start Feldman in Feliz's spot on Wednesday, but have not said who will replace him in the rotation long term. Levine also added that the Rangers will re-evaluate how Feliz is used once he returns from his injury, but anticipates him still being used as a starter. "It's something we've got to talk about," Daniels said of the future. "I don't know the answer. He's as strong and well-conditioned as he's ever been. I don't think there were any warning signs necessarily. Everything's on the table both as far as who comes up and replaces him and long term what's best for Neftali." Fantasy owners should keep an eye on Feliz's recovery over the next few weeks. The 24-year-old can be considered a viable option in most mixed formats when healthy. (Updated 05/21/2012).
05/22/2012 01:13 M's knock out Darvish, defeat Rangers
Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners chased Texas' Yu Darvish after just four innings in his shortest start of the season, and the Mariners rolled to their fourth straight win in a 6-1 victory over the Rangers on Monday night.
05/21/2012 15:49 Rangers placed RHP Neftali Feliz on DL
The Rangers put right-hander Neftali Feliz on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.
05/20/2012 08:36 Top 70 starters for Week 8
A lot to take into consideration before setting your pitching staffs for Fantasy Week 8. Our Al Melchior runs through his Top 70 starting options and has all the matchups.
05/19/2012 20:58 Transition to rotation has included bumps (and walks), but Bard deserves a chance
Daniel Bard said he "knew it was going to be a tough transition" from the bullpen to the starting rotation, and it's starting to show. Bard has lost three of his last four starts, and his walk totals are raising some alarms. But the Red Sox seem committed to Bard in the rotation, and they should be.
05/18/2012 23:35 Beltre's HR, Rangers' bullpen top Astros
Adrian Beltre hit a home run and Michael Young broke out of a slump with two hits and an RBI to lift the Texas Rangers to a 4-1 victory against the Houston Astros on Friday night.
Neftali Feliz continued to be a dominant closer for the Rangers last season but will go back to his roots in 2012. After saving 72 of 81 chances with a 2.73 ERA over the last two years, he will join the rotation this season and has some solid upside as a starter. While his strikeouts dropped a bit in 2011, the right-hander showed in the minors that he has what it takes to start and should only benefit from a potent lineup backing him up in Texas. While Feliz will likely have his innings watched in his first full season in the rotation, the Rangers have a ton of guys that can start, so they can get creative in how they give him some extra rest. There is no telling how productive the 23-year-old can be once he gets used to his new role and his value in Fantasy should only go up since he will retain his eligibility as a relief pitcher. Feliz should be gone by the later rounds in mixed leagues on Draft Day. (Updated 2/21/12)