Major League Baseball

Rangers send former All-Star closer Feliz to minors

Published Mar. 25, 2014 4:27 p.m. ET

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SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Former World Series and All-Star closer Neftali Feliz was sent to the minor leagues Tuesday by the Texas Rangers.

Feliz, the closer for the Rangers when they went to their only World Series in 2010 and 2011, was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. The right-hander allowed 13 hits and five runs in nine spring training games.

Texas also Tuesday added right-hander Daniel McCutchen from its minor league camp as a non-roster invitee, and signed catcher Chris Snyder to a minor league contract with an invitation to the major league camp. Left-handers Rafael Perez and Aaron Poreda were assigned to Round Rock.

The Rangers moved Feliz into their starting rotation two springs ago, and he was 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in eight games (seven starts). But after inflammation in his right elbow and rehab assignments, he had Tommy John ligament replacement surgery Aug. 1, 2012.

Feliz returned late last season, throwing 4 2-3 scoreless innings over six games.

Back in the bullpen, Feliz was given a chance this spring to return to the closing role. But the Rangers said last week Joakim Soria, a former two-time All-Star with Kansas City who also had Tommy John surgery in 2012, would be their closer.

In the 2011 World Series, Feliz was one strike away from clinching the title for the Rangers in Game 6 before St. Louis rallied.

Snyder, who split last season between the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore organizations, was released by Washington on March 24. He made his major league debut with Arizona in 2004 and has appeared at the big league level in each of the last 10 seasons.

Geovany Soto, the Rangers expected starting catcher, is out 10 to 12 weeks with a tear in his right knee. J.P. Arencibia will take over as the starter, but the Rangers are looking for depth behind him.

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