Rangers Activate Neftali Feliz, Option Taylor Teagarden

Thank God the Rangers have activated Neftali Feliz back to the active roster. It’s just in time for one of the most important series wins for the team – or at least in my eyes. The Rangers lost their first series against the Yankees and haven’t been doing well since inflammation in his shoulder put Feliz on the DL.

But he’s back now and the Rangers need him in his closing role. Hopefully, he is just as good as he always has been and I can guarantee the Rangers will put him on the mound in the ninth inning if the situation calls for it. With Feliz back, Darren Oliver and Arthur Rhodes can get back to their normal bullpen roles rather than filling in for Feliz as closers.

To make room for Feliz on the roster, however, the Rangers optioned catcher Taylor Teagarden to the Minors. This was a bit unexpected and strange if you ask me. With this move, the Rangers have just a two-man bench as Lone Star Ball mentions.

While a move did indeed need to be made for Feliz to return, the fact of the matter is that there were a few pitchers in the bullpen that could have been sent back down – especially when you consider how the bullpen has been performing. The need for eight men there is baffling to me when majority of the guys aren’t performing well enough to stay in the Majors with the Rangers.

I guess we’ll see how it works out for them.