By JON MACHOTA
FOXSportsSouthwest.com special contributor
March 6, 2011
Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz suffered a bruised shin after getting hit by a line drive Sunday morning.
The 2010 AL Rookie of the Year was carted off the field as a precaution, and X-rays were negative. He is hopeful of pitching during his next scheduled appearance on Wednesday.
"It was a line drive that came so fast that I didn't have time to defend myself and it hit me," Feliz told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, who translated for local reporters. "It hurts a little, but bit by bit, it is going away. I think I'll be fine in a couple of days. I'm just happy it was not anything serious and I'll be able to keep working. I still think I will be able to pitch (Wednesday), but we'll see how I feel tomorrow."
Feliz was struck on the left shin by a liner off the bat of Craig Gentry during his regular throwing session. Feliz was down on the ground for a couple of minutes before walking to a nearby cart.
Feliz had 40 saves last season. This year, he is trying to move from the closer's role into the Rangers' starting rotation. He threw two scoreless innings Thursday against Cleveland.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
