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Neftali Feliz Undergoes Tommy John Surgery, Has Long Road Ahead Of Him

On Tuesday, it was announced that Texas Rangers pitcher Neftali Feliz would miss the rest of the season, because he needed Tommy John surgery on his ailing right elbow. On Wednesday, Feliz had the procedure done.

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↵↵It's really unfortunate, and it's certainly one of the times I really don't like being right. To say Feliz has a difficult road ahead of him is an understatement. Feliz will miss the rest of this season, and he'll miss the majority, if not the entirety, of the 2013 season. There is absolutely no way that the Rangers can count on getting anything out of Feliz in 2013.

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As for 2014, who knows what Texas' staff will even look like at that point. One positive for Feliz is that Joe Nathan's contract will expire following the 2013 season, so it's feasible that Feliz will be able to return to closing games out in 2014 -- three years after he would have most recently been Texas' closer, which is a crazy thought.

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If Feliz is going to be counted on in 2014, he'll certainly have to show something to Texas' front office in 2013, otherwise, he could be ticketed for more uncertainty in two years.

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Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.