Rangers recall RHP Neftali Feliz from Triple-A Round Rock, option RHP Ben Rowen to Round Rock

New York - The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has recalled right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz (#30) from Triple-A Round Rock and optioned right-handed pitcher Ben Rowen to Round Rock.   Additionally, left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders has been placed on release waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

Feliz will be in uniform and available for tonight's series opener against the Mets in New York, seeking his first action for the Rangers this season. He has spent the entire campaign at Round Rock, going 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA (10 ER/28.2 IP) in 24 relief appearances. He has gone 7-for-9 in save chances with 8 walks against 31 strikeouts and a .188 (19-101) opponents average. Over his last 8 outings at Triple-A, Feliz has tossed 9.0 shutout innings, with opponents going 2-for-28 (.071) in that span with one walk and 9 strikeouts. He was optioned to Triple-A on March 25 near the end of spring training.

Rowen has posted no record and a 4.15 ERA (4 ER/8.2 IP) in 8 relief outings since being recalled on June 11 for his first major league action. He has spent the rest of the season at Triple-A.

Saunders was designated for assignment by Texas on Tuesday after going 0-5 with a 6.13 ERA (27 ER/39.2 IP) over 8 starts with the Rangers this season.

With today's moves, the Rangers still have 39 players on the club's 40-man roster.

SOTO TO BEGIN REHAB: Rangers catcher Geovany Soto is scheduled to begin an injury rehab assignment tonight for Round Rock vs. Nashville. Soto has been on the disabled list all season after surgery to repair torn lateral meniscus cartilage in his right knee.