Times wires
Saturday, April 23, 2011
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers put closer Neftali Feliz on the 15-day disabled list because of right shoulder inflammation, leaving the defending AL champions unsettled at the back of their bullpen.
Texas made the move Saturday retroactive to Thursday, the day after the hard-throwing right-hander last pitched.
"We've got no bona fide closer right now," manager Ron Washington said. "It's that simple."
General manager Jon Daniels said Feliz felt what he thought was normal soreness in spring training, then kept pushing through it. Feliz didn't say anything to team officials until being affected by cold weather in New York last weekend.
"Of course, I don't feel good about it, but I know what … is good for me," Feliz said about his first time on the disabled list. "It is the best way for me to take a couple of weeks, because it's a long season."
Feliz has five saves in five chances and a 1.08 ERA in eight appearances; opponents have hit .138 against him. Last season Feliz set a major-league rookie record with 40 saves.
After getting a couple of days off, Feliz pitched in a non-save situation Wednesday against the Angels. He walked three straight batters but got out of the inning without giving up a run. He felt tight the next day.
"If he was 33 instead of 23, we may treat it a little differently," Daniels said. "But given his age and what he means to the club, we're going to play this one on the safe side."
Texas purchased the contract of RHP Cody Eppley from Triple-A Round Rock.
In other Rangers news, RHP Brandon Webb is scheduled to throw two innings in an extended spring game Monday after having an encouraging long-toss session. Webb hasn't pitched in a big-league game since the opening day of 2009.
OUR BAD: A.J. Ellis' first career steal attempt was a memorable one, at least for the Cubs. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said a missed sign led to Ellis' dash for second during the series opener Friday that irked Chicago manager Mike Quade.
Los Angeles was leading 8-1 when the catcher attempted to steal second with RHP Chad Billingsley at the plate in the top of the fifth. Geovany Soto threw him out, but Quade was still peeved afterward.
Mattingly and Quade talked, and the Cubs' manager called his counterpart "a class guy."
Mattingly, in his first year as Dodgers manager, confirmed it was a mixup but defended a running play in that situation. "We weren't doing it, but it is Wrigley, and the other day we did give up eight runs in the ninth," he said.
In other Dodgers news, RF Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 20 games in Saturday's 10-8 loss.
ANGELS: LH reliever Scott Downs went on the 15-day disabled list with a gastrointestinal virus caused by food poisoning.
BREWERS: 2B Rickie Weeks was out of the lineup against the Astros a day after spraining his left pinkie finger sliding into second on a steal. Weeks was available to pinch-hit.
MARINERS: CF Franklin Gutierrez was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, the cause of stomach problems that have affected him for nearly a year.
METS: RHP Chris Young, on the 15-day disabled list with right biceps tendinitis, is expected to be activated to start Tuesday against the Nationals.
NATIONALS: The contract of INF Brian Bixler was purchased from Triple-A Syracuse, filling an open roster spot after C Jesus Flores was optioned to Syracuse on Thursday.
PIRATES: INF Brandon Wood was activated a day after being claimed from the Angels. INF Pedro Ciriaco was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
YANKEES: RHP Phil Hughes, on the 15-day DL with a tired arm, had a solid bullpen session and said he hoped to make a minor-league rehabilitation start this week.