Jon Daniels sounds certain that Neftali Feliz will be in the starting rotation and Joe Nathan will be the team's closer.
During a radio interview on Friday, the Rangers general manager was asked about the possibility of Feliz, who was a closer the previous two seasons, opening the year in Triple-A if he needs time to adapt to his new role.
"We're not thinking about that," Daniels responded on 103.3's The Ben and Skin Show [KESN-FM]. "I guess if that were to present itself in spring, that it was necessary, maybe we'll have that discussion. But that has not even once been brought up."
The 23-year-old hasn't started a game at the big league level so there's always a chance that a larger workload could equate to some surprises. After saving 72 games the last two seasons, is there a chance he's moved into the bullpen if he struggles?
"I think it all depends on what kind of struggle. If it's a struggle to make a transition, but he's putting the work in and you see it needs more polish and more time then we're going to stick with him," Daniels answered. "If it's a struggle and it's absolutely not happening for one reason or another then we'll have to talk about it. But we're committed to starting Neftali."
And moving back to being a closer isn't likely. After all, the Rangers filled that slot when they signed Joe Nathan to two-year, $14.5 million contract in November.
"We've committed to Joe pitching the ninth inning and being our closer," Daniels said. "Obviously things change, I don't expect that to change. Nothing's ever 100 percent set in stone. If Joe's healthy and doing what he's capable of doing he's going to pitch the ninth inning.
"It's nice to have a guy in Mike [Adams] that wants to close and Joe's going to need a blow here or there, [Adams] can do it. And there are other guys that fit that mold also."
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