ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers starter Neftali Feliz threw 102 pitches in a simulated game Thursday. His line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R-ER, 2 BB, 5 SO.
He said he felt good as he left the field and the plan is that he'll follow his usual between-starts routine with a bullpen in a few days as he prepares to pitch Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners.
Brandon Snyder caught Feliz on Thursday as he threw to a few hitters (including Craig Gentry and Alberto Gonzalez) with pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Andy Hawkins, hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh and manager Ron Washington watching him.
Feliz was a bit behind thanks to his stiff right shoulder, so he's now built up his pitch count and should be ready to go for Tuesday.
"I feel strong," Feliz said. "I wanted to keep the ball down and I did that."
Washington said he was "impressed" with Feliz's work this spring and the effort he's put in on his secondary pitches. Feliz feels like he's improved with each outing on his curve and changeup. The 102 pitches were the most thrown by any Rangers pitcher in a start this spring.