Neftali Feliz has been designated for assignment

The Texas Rangers have designated reliever Neftali Feliz for assignment, clearing a 25 man and 40 man roster spot for the return of pitcher Matt Harrison.

It is quite the fall for Feliz, the one-time prize of the Mark Teixeira trade who was considered one of the top prospects in baseball heading into the 2009 season.  He became a shutdown reliever and was the team's closer in 2010 and 2011, but was always viewed as having top of the rotation potential as a starter, which led to him moving to the rotation in 2012.

Feliz's 2012 campaign was cut short after he tore his UCL, however, and underwent Tommy John surgery in July, 2012.  Feliz never seemed to really make it back from the surgery, getting sent down at one point last year, and losing his closer's job early this year.  The electric stuff that made Feliz so dynamic five years ago appears to have abandoned him altogether at this point.

The Rangers have 10 days to waive, trade or release Feliz.  Given his salary, I suspect that Feliz will clear waivers, and the Rangers will look to outright him, although Feliz may have enough service time to reject an outright assignment.

UPDATE -- Jon Daniels says the Rangers are going to look to trade Feliz.