Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports tonight on the Texas Rangers recovering relievers.

Neftali Feliz, Rangers former star closer turned starter threw only 42 innings in 2012 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August.  Feliz is not expected back before mid to late-season.  The 24-year old is rehabbing in Arizona, and is throwing off flat ground from 60 feet.

Colby Lewis, who we reported had started throwing in mid-December, has progressed to long tossing from 120 feet.  The plan is to progress up to probably 150 or 160 feet before he is ready to go on a mound.


The Rangers project a June return for Lewis, but he is not setting any timetable. "I don’t want to push the issue and come back too soon and not be ready for the push," Lewis said.  "I just want to get back here healthy and try to contribute in whatever way I can," he continued, "Hopefully, it’s in the rotation."

Seeking to extend his second tour of duty with Texas, Colby is pleased with his results so far. "I haven’t had any pain," Lewis said. "I feel great. There's never been a day where I’ve woken up and it’s been stiff or hard to get loose. I’m telling them exactly how I feel. I’m not lying. It feels great."

The Rangers signed two-time All Star Joakim Soria as a free agent on December 4.  The 28-year old Mexican served as the Royals closer over five seasons, averaging 32 saves per year with a lifetime 1.043 WHIP.  He missed all of 2012, however, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April.  Soria threw 15 pitches in a bullpen session on Monday. He is scheduled to throw again on Wednesday.  As Justin Hunter of MLBInjuryNews.com reported in January, Texas is anticipating a June return for Soria.

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