Neftalí Feliz Antonio (/nɛfˈtɑːli fɛˈliːs/; born May 2, 1988) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization.
He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
[1] On July 31, 2007, Feliz was traded from the Braves to the Texas Rangers along with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison, Beau Jones, and Elvis Andrus in exchange for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay.
In 2008, he split the season between the Single-A Clinton LumberKings and the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, accumulating a 10–6 record and 2.69 ERA in 27 games with the two teams.
[4] Feliz finished the season with a 1–0 record and a 1.74 earned run average (ERA) in 20 games, with 39 strikeouts and two saves, in 31 innings pitched.
[5] After two blown saves by Frank Francisco to start the 2010 baseball season, Feliz replaced him as the Rangers' closer.
He was accompanied by teammates Vladimir Guerrero, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, and the newly acquired Cliff Lee.
[12][13] During Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, with two outs, two strikes, and two runners on, Feliz blew a save as he surrendered a 2-run triple to David Freese, who would then homer later to seal a Cardinals 10–9 win in the 11th inning.
With the addition of veteran closer Joe Nathan, the Rangers transitioned Feliz into the starting rotation for the 2012 season.
[21] He made his debut for the Tigers later that day, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and one strikeout.
[27][non-primary source needed] Feliz posted a 4.74 ERA in 20 games before being released by Kansas City on September 1.
[29] He spent the season with the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces, where he posted a 6–5 record and 4.81 ERA in 37 games with the team.
[35] On July 6, 2021, Feliz signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
[43] Feliz made 41 appearances for Monterrey, working to a 4-2 record and 2.89 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 24 saves in 43.2 innings pitched.
On July 5, 2024, Feliz was traded to the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League in exchange for the rights to IF Lázaro Alonso and P Jesús Chávez.
On September 20, 2024, Feliz was traded back to the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League alongside Félix Doubront.