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Feliz unscored upon in return from disabled list

HOUSTON -- Reliever Neftali Feliz was activated off the disabled list at Triple-A Round Rock and threw one scoreless inning in the Express' 14-3 loss to Memphis. He allowed a single, struck out one and threw 14 pitches. His fastball topped out at 96 mph.

"Today was good," Round Rock pitching coach Brad Holman said. "Hitters still respect his fastball. They had to cheat on it a little bit to catch up to it. It had some good late movement and he threw a couple sliders and changeups. He looked good, he knows what he's doing out there."

Feliz, who was the Rangers' closer in 2010-11 before undergoing Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery in '12, was pitching for the first time since April 16. He made five appearances with Round Rock to start the season before being placed on the DL because of general arm fatigue. The Rangers also wanted him to get more time working on his mechanics with Holman and Minor League pitching coordinator Danny Clark.

"The focus points were to get extension and not cut his delivery off … allowing his backside to replace his front side vs. pulling premature and causing side to side action," Clark said. "His arm slot is the same as always. …We're hoping to get his fingers to stay over the ball. Having the setback slowed his progress, but regaining arm strength and showing he can go back to back will be his future short-term goals. Great sign today touching 96."

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger.
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