SAN DIEGO – Scott Feldman said he was unhappy to hear he is headed back to the Texas Rangers bullpen.
Manager Ron Washington said Feldman will return to the bullpen as the team brings up Roy Oswalt to start Friday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. The Rangers are keeping rookie Justin Grimm in their rotation to start Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
“It’s just tough to keep going back and forth,” Feldman said. “That’s the main thing. Moving back and forth, it’s how you hurt your arm.
"It’s how you get hurt. I’m not happy.”
Feldman has made seven consecutive starts after moving from the bullpen to the rotation in mid-May. He snapped a six-game losing streak Tuesday, allowing two runs in six innings in a 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. He is 1-6 with a 6.00 ERA.
“Basically, telling me that I’m not in the plans for the second time this year, spring training and then now, that’s fine, if I’m not in their plans,” Feldman said. “But it doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.”
The Rangers' rotation, starting Friday, is Oswalt, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison, Grimm and Yu Darvish.
The Rangers have had a six-man bullpen and fulfill their need for another reliever by moving Feldman to the bullpen.
“There’s a need in the bullpen,” manager Ron Washington said. “Grimm threw the ball well. He deserved another shot.”
Meanwhile, Grimm said he’s excited to get another chance in the rotation. He made his major-league debut in his last start on Saturday, allowing three runs in six innings against the Houston Astros.
“It’s another exciting opportunity,” he said. “I’m just going to try to go out and make the most of it.”
By starting Monday, Grimm will get extra rest since his last start. He said he’ll throw two bullpen sessions to be ready. He said he was going to be in the bullpen for Wednesday’s game against the Padres. If he pitched in relief, that would fulfill one of his bullpen sessions, he said.
“I’m trying to get a couple bullpen sessions in before then (his next start), so I can stay on the mound and stay sharp,” Grimm said.
Other notes
* LHP Derek Holland (virus, fatigue) threw a bullpen session Wednesday for his first throwing session off a mound since he went on the disabled list retroactive to June 6.
“I feel good,” he said. “I wasn’t throwing 100 percent down there, but it’s my first bullpen, I’m not going to try to overdo it, just trying to make sure everything’s correct, the way everything’s coming out of my hands. I felt really good. I’m just ready to get out there. That’s the main thing. Very anxious.”
Holland is aiming for a July 1 return.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said. “I’ve got to let them decide.”
Holland said he’ll possibly throw another bullpen Friday or Saturday.
* Neftali Feliz (right elbow inflammation) threw from about 60 feet, Washington said.
* Entering Wednesday, Rangers pitchers were 4 for 21 (.190) at the plate in interleague games. Feldman hit an RBI single Tuesday for a Rangers pitcher’s first RBI (other than Colby Lewis) since Kenny Rogers and Ricardo Rodriguez in 2005.
* The Rangers’ five-game winning streak after Tuesday’s victory was their second-longest streak of 2012 after they won eight in a row in April.