Rangers Pitcher Neftali Feliz to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Abelimages/Getty Images(NEW YORK) It's not easy being a starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers these days. The team announced that pitcher Neftali Feliz will undergo Tommy John Surgery, and will miss the rest of the season as well as part of next season as well.

Feliz last pitched on May 18 against the Houston Astros. He went on the disabled list soon after with a sprained UCL. He was supposed to begin his rehab assignment, but his elbow issues resurfaced and the team shut him down.

 Up until this season, Feliz had been strictly used as a reliever. Before 2012, Feliz pitched out of the pen for three seasons, and was one of the better relievers in the American League. In 2011, Feliz was 2-3 with a 2.74 ERA along with 32 saves. He saved 72 games from 2010-2011 for the Rangers.

The 24-year-old Feliz was doing very well in his first season as a starter. In seven starts, Feliz went 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA.

Before the trade deadline, the Rangers were able to trade for Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Rangers Place Feliz On 15-Day D-L With Elbow Inflammation

Texas Rangers/MLB(SEATTLE) -- The Texas Rangers placed starting pitcher Neftali Feliz on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of inflammation in his right elbow.  

Feliz is in his first season as a starter. He’s 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA.  He has struck out 37 batters in 42 2-3 innings of work.

The Rangers recalled reliever Yoshinori Tateyama from Triple-A Round Rock to take Feliz’s spot on the roster. Tateyama is 1-0 with a 0.54 ERA and a save in 12 appearances this year.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio