ce spending five weeks on the disabled list with a left ob

NEW YORK -- Former closer Neftali Feliz was recalled by the slumping Texas Rangers from Triple-A Round Rock, replenishing their taxed bullpen Friday for the opener of an interleague series against the New York Mets. Texas also optioned right-hander Ben Rowen to Round Rock and placed lefty Joe Saunders on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Feliz, an All-Star in 2010 and the AL Rookie of the Year, was the closer on two Rangers teams that went to the World Series. He was one strike from clinching the title for Texas in 2011 before St. Louis rallied in Game 6. The Rangers moved Feliz into the starting rotation two years ago, but he had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 1, 2012. Back in the bullpen, he struggled during spring training this year and was sent to the minors. Texas manager Ron Washington said Feliz will be used in whatever role is necessary, but Joakim Soria "unequivocally" remains the closer. "We needed a fresh arm, and Neffy is capable of giving us multiple innings right now," Washington said. Feliz had been at Round Rock all season, going 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 24 relief appearances. He was 7 for 9 in save chances, with 31 strikeouts and eight walks in 28 2-3 innings. The right-hander picked it up lately, throwing nine scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and one walk over his last eight outings. Opponents batted .071 against him (2 for 28) during that span. Washington said he had a chat with the 26-year-old Feliz to pump him up Friday. The manager acknowledged that minor league reports have indicated Feliz was inconsistent at Triple-A. "He was the best option we had," Washington said. "At least he can give us multiple innings, and itll give Neffy a chance to stay in the big leagues." Rowen had a 4.15 ERA in eight relief outings after he was called up June 11 for his first stint in the big leagues. Saunders was designated for assignment Tuesday after going 0-5 with a 6.13 ERA in eight starts for Texas this season. Vince Biegel Jersey . -- Jonathan Diaz is easy to spot in the Blue Jays clubhouse. JK Scott Jersey . After seven wins in a row, they have to do it one more time to get into the playoffs. http://www.officialgreenbaypackersfootball.com/authentic-oren-burks-jersey-womens . -- David Freese is starting to pick up his run production, which is something the Los Angeles Angels have been waiting half a season to see. Marcedes Lewis Jersey . -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday. DeShone Kizer Jersey . However, Therrien added that Galchenyuks status for next Wednesdays game against the Detroit Red Wings is questionable. Galchenyuk has been out since Jan. 6 with a broken right hand. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Pedro Alvarezs first homer in almost three weeks helped the Pittsburgh Pirates improve to .500 for just the second time in more than two months. The slumping 2013 co-NL home run champion backed Edinson Volquezs pitching with a three-run shot, keying an 8-1 victory over the sputtering Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night. "It always helps, obviously, when I can contribute to a team victory," said Alvarez, whos hitting .232 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs. "Ive always said sometimes results arent indicative of how you may feel at the plate, and I feel like Im a good place," the slugger added. "Im just going to continue to work." Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5, drove in two runs and stole two bases for the Pirates in a homecoming of sorts for last years NL MVP, who grew up in nearby Fort Meade and had never played before at Tropicana Field. He also scored twice in Pittsburghs first appearance in St. Petersburg since 2003. Alvarez, who hadnt homered since June 3, went deep off Alex Cobb (2-6) during a four-run fourth inning that also featured the first of McCutchens two RBI singles. The first-pitch, 419-foot drive over the wall in centre field snapped a season-high 16-game stretch without a homer -- Alvarezs longest since a 22-game drought that began in September 2012 and extended into last season. "A lot of times people have been taking their chances with Pedro, and hes an important part of our offence," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We need him to fire, we need him to drive in runs and that was very good to see. Three-run homers always play well." Volquez (5-6) allowed five hits in a season-high eight innings. James Loney drove in Tampa Bays only run with a two-out, first-inning single, and the Pirates supported their starting pitcher by turning three double plays. "I got a lot of help," Volquez said. The Pirates climbed to .500 (38-38) for just the second timme since April 17, when they were 8-8.dddddddddddd They have won four of five following a three-game skid and are a NL-best 26-18 since May 6. Tampa Bay has dropped 19 of its past 27 and is saddled with the worst record in the major leagues at 31-47. "I feel like with every loss its an opportunity missed," Cobb said, adding if the Rays are going to turn their season around theyve got to get on a roll soon. McCutchen, who is batting .366 in June, boosted his average in 11 interleague games to .425 with nine walks, four doubles and seven RBIs. His run-scoring single off Cobb moved him ahead of Brian Giles for the Pirates career record for RBIs in interleague action with 52. He added another in the ninth off Kirby Yates. Alvarez, meanwhile, is hitting .317 with two home runs and eight RBIs against AL teams this season. Cobb, making his seventh start since spending five weeks on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, allowed six runs and six hits in five innings. Volquez won for the third time in his last five starts. The right-hander walked two, struck out one and didnt allow a hit after the fourth inning. Three of Tampa Bays six hits were infield singles, including Kevin Kiermaiers second-inning bunt. Jeanmar Gomez pitched the ninth for the Pirates, yielding a two-out single to Loney. NOTES: Pirates OF Starling Marte was back in the lineup after missing two games tending to a personal matter at home in the Dominican Republic. ... Pittsburgh RHP Gerrit Cole (right shoulder fatigue) threw 83 pitches over six innings in a simulated game and could rejoin the rotation this weekend. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker (appendectomy) is expected to be reinstated from the DL Tuesday. ... The Rays havent announced if RHP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) will need one more minor league start before returning. .. Tampa Bay 1B-OF Jerry Sands has a wrist injury, which Rays manager Joe Maddon said could require surgery. 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