Neftali Feliz and Tommy Hunter destined to hit Double-A Frisco for rehab
The Texas Rangers want to be ready for their home series against the visiting New York Yankees when their series kicks off on May 6.
The club will be heading back to Arlington, following a losing series against the Oakland Athletics. The team will be taking on the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series and they will be without established team players, Tommy Hunter and Neftali Feliz.
There is however good news as both stars will be heading to Double-A Frisco.
The two ball stars have been on the disabled list following varied injuries. Feliz had a right shoulder inflammation, while Hunter went straight to the list in Spring Training when he suffered a right groin strain. Both threw in bullpen sessions and there
were no problems. The two will now move onto the Minor League for real game experience.
Feliz threw 46 pitches and he is set to be activated for the series against the Yanks.
"He's ready to get out of here", manager Ron Washington said. "He'll throw an inning on Wednesday, and if that goes well, we'll activate him Friday when he's [eligible] to come off".
The two stars are on medical rehab assignments and there are varied time limits on their return. Hunter will be asked to start in three games for the Double-A team before he will be given an okay to start. The skipper wants more games from the ace and the
main aim is to raise the pitches.
"We don't have [starting pitching] depth down there, so we need to make sure he is stretched out", Washington said about Hunter. "If he has to go into the rotation, we don't want any concerns about his pitch count. If he has to go to the bullpen, he'll go
to the bullpen. We haven't made that decision yet".
With a poor show on the front by rotation ball throwers, Hunter’s return will surely ease the pressure on the current contingent of pitchers in the squad. With more losses in the last two weeks, the Rangers want their premier hurlers back in the mix.
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