Working back
The last time Neftali Feliz was seen in a Rangers uniform on a mound was 10 months ago in Houston, where he first started to feel discomfort in his elbow that would eventually lead to Tommy John surgery in August.But the right-hander can be found each day at the Surprise Recreation Campus doing something, though for now throwing a baseball is not a regular activity.He’s keeping busy, between workouts and exercises to help get him back on the mound this season. He’s says he’ll be good to go in August, when the Rangers expect to be hunting for a playoff spot.And, apparently, he’s been working on his English. For the first time, Feliz attempted to do a full interview not in his native tongue. Translator Kenji Nomura was on hand to pick up the Spanish translation when Feliz needed it. How is the rehab process going? Right now, I feel good. I played catch to 75 feet today, and I feel strong. But only 75 feet. That’s got to be frustrating, right? I don’t feel frustrated right now because it’s a long process. I’m taking my time to be ready to help the team. I’m focused to doing my rehab. It’s just time consuming. Time will tell when I’m ready. The belief is that you will return in August as a reliever, though you were a starter last year. What is your preference? I want to help the team win, whether it’s as a starter or a reliever. When I started last year, I had pitched really well. I just want to keep what I was doing last year. I think I’ll be able to repeat what I did. Is this the best shape you’ve ever been in? Yes. After the season I stayed in Texas for two months working and running and doing my rehab, and I came here to extended spring training to keep working.Injury report RHP Colby Lewis (flexor tendon surgery in July): Threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday. OF Leonys Martin (left hamstring tightness): Scratched from Wednesday’s lineup, is day to day. OF Engel Beltre (left shoulder strain): Has joined Spain for the World Baseball Classic. RHP Kyle McClellan (shoulder soreness): Threw a bullpen session Wednesday. RHP Joakim Soria (Tommy John elbow surgery in April): Threw a bullpen session Wednesday. RHP Neftali Feliz (Tommy John elbow surgery in August.): Throwing out to 75 feet. RHP Tanner Scheppers (strained left hamstring): Pitched an inning Wednesday in B game. RHP Yoshinori Tateyama (lower back stiffness): Pitched an inning Wednesday in B game. C Eli Whiteside (mild left calf strain): Day to day. RHP Wilmer Font (mild shoulder tendinitis): Threw a bullpen session Wednesday.Number of the day7 Starts in 2012 for Neftali Feliz before he suffered a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He was 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA.Videos of the dayHead to the Foul Territory blog ( http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/foul_territory/) to see manager Ron Washington talk about Mike Olt and Cody Buckel, and also hear Robbie Ross talk about his latest bid to be the Rangers’ No. 5 starter.Jeff Wilson, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @JeffWilson_FWST
