Neftali Feliz has expressed a desire to return to his former role as the Rangers' closer, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
Neftali Feliz determined to be Rangers’ closer
Feliz will compete for the Rangers’ open closing duties this spring.
Stephen Dunn
In 2010 and 2011, Feliz saved 72 games for the club, posting a 2.73 ERA in over 130 innings. The following season, Texas transitioned him to the rotation in an effort to maximize his impact on the team. The experiment didn’t last long. Unfortunately, Feliz injured his right elbow after just seven starts and underwent Tommy John surgery on August 1, 2012.
Feliz returned to the Rangers at the end of 2013, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings as a reliever.
He will compete with Joakim Soria and Tanner Scheppers for closing duties after Joe Nathan left for the Tigers in free agency. He seems to be determined to earn a permanent role in the late innings.
“Yes, I want to be a reliever the rest of my career ... a closer.”
When healthy, Feliz could touch triple digits with his fastball and baffle hitters with his breaking ball when he has a handle on it. His brief trial as a starter also led to a focus on refining his changeup -- a pitch that could help him avoid relying too heavily on his dominant fastball. His average velocity has dropped almost three miles per hour since he made the jump to the rotation, but there is some optimism that a return to the bullpen will aid him in bumping his velocity back up to the elite speeds he was averaging as a closer.
The Rangers haven’t named Nathan’s ninth-inning successor yet, and are unlikely to do so before they get an extended look at their options in spring training.
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