Rangers place Feliz on DL
Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has placed right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Thursday, with right shoulder inflammation. To take his place on the 25-man roster, the club has purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Cody Eppley (#50) from Round Rock (AAA). To make room for Eppley on the 40-man roster, the club has recalled right-handed pitcher Eric Hurley from Round Rock and placed him on the 60-day disabled list with a concussion.
Feliz last pitched on Wednesday vs. LA of Anaheim and is eligible to be activated on Friday, May 6, when the club begins a 9-game homestand with the series opener against New York-AL. He has posted no record with a 1.08 ERA (1 ER/8.1 IP) in 8 relief appearances for Texas this season, converting all 5 save chances. His 5 saves are tied for 3rd-most in the American League entering today’s games. Opponents have batted just .138 (4-29) against Feliz with no home runs, 5 walks, and 6 strikeouts. This is the first disabled list stint of Feliz’s career.
Eppley, 25, will be available for tonight’s game against Kansas City. He last pitched on
Wednesday at Oklahoma City, recording the final 2 outs for his 3rd save. He has tossed 8.1 scoreless innings over 6 relief appearances at Triple-A Round Rock this season, posting a 1-0 record and converting all 3 save opportunities. Pacific Coast League batters have hit .194 (6-31) off Eppley with 3 extra-base hits (all doubles), 3 walks, and 9 strikeouts. Opposing right-handed batters are 0-for-12. He has allowed 3 of 6 inherited runners to score.
The Rangers 2010 Minor League Reliever of the Year, Eppley was in big league camp for the first time this spring. He went 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA (6 ER/7.0 IP) in 8 Cactus League appearances, as opponents batted .308 (8-26) with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. Last year, he combined to go 5-2 with 16 saves and a 2.08 ERA (16 ER/69.1 IP) in 51 relief outings for the Rangers’ top three minor league affiliates. He was originally selected by Texas in the 43rd round of the 2008 June draft and signed by area scout Russ Ardolina.
Hurley was placed on the Round Rock (AAA) disabled list on Tuesday. He was struck on the right side of the head by a one-hop comebacker to the mound in his start on Monday at New Orleans. It is uncertain when he will be cleared to resume baseball activities. Hurley, who had a previous disabled list stint this year from April 11-17 with a viral infection, has posted no record with a 3.38 ERA (2 ER/5.1 IP) in 2 games/starts at Triple-A this season.
With these moves, the Rangers still have a full 40-man roster.
