Mariners Sign Neftali Feliz to Minor League Deal

In a surprising move, the Seattle Mariners have signed Neftali Feliz, former American League Rookie of the Year, to a minor league deal and invited him to major league spring training for the 2025 season. This marks a significant moment in Feliz’s career, as he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2021 and has spent the last few years in the Mexican League.

A Stellar Start to His Career

Feliz, who will turn 37 in May 2025, had an impressive start to his career. In 2010, he saved 40 games for the Texas Rangers, posting a 2.73 ERA and striking out 26.4% of hitters over 69 1/3 innings. His dominant performance earned him the AL Rookie of the Year award, where he garnered 20 first-place votes, beating out Austin Jackson and Danny Valencia. Feliz’s early success marked him as one of the top closers in baseball, and he appeared poised for a long career at the top.

Injuries and Setbacks

However, injuries began to derail his career. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2012, Feliz missed nearly all of the 2013 season. Though he returned in 2014, his time in the bullpen was often hampered by injury. His tenure with the Texas Rangers saw him save 93 games and post a solid 2.69 ERA across 261 1/3 innings, but after a rough 2015 season, the team parted ways with him. Feliz struggled further with the Tigers, Brewers, and Royals, with a particularly challenging 2017 campaign marked by ulnar nerve palsy, which sidelined him for much of the year.

Recent Success in the Mexican League

Feliz’s MLB career seemed to be winding down after 2017, but he found new life in the Mexican League, where he pitched for several teams from 2022 to 2024. Over 121 2/3 innings, Feliz posted a 2.37 ERA, maintaining a solid 26.3% strikeout rate and a 9.8% walk rate. He also recorded 54 saves during his time there, showing that he still had the ability to dominate at the professional level. His performance in the Dominican Winter League this offseason has been strong as well, with a 2.11 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. However, his 18.4% strikeout rate and 12.6% walk rate were less impressive, raising questions about his ability to replicate his past MLB success.

Can Feliz Make a Big League Comeback?

The Mariners’ decision to bring in Feliz on a non-guaranteed minor league deal is a low-risk move to see if his recent success in Mexico can translate back to the major leagues. At his peak, Feliz threw a fastball averaging over 96 mph and had a powerful slider that generated plenty of swinging strikes. In his brief 2021 appearances with the Phillies and Dodgers, he still managed to sit at 95 mph with his fastball. The Mariners are clearly intrigued by the possibility of a late-career revival for Feliz, who could potentially bolster their bullpen if he can return to his old form.

For now, it’s uncertain what Feliz can offer the Mariners in 2025. At 37 years old, he’s not the young, dominant closer he once was, but his experience and recent success in the Mexican League make him an interesting candidate for a comeback story. The Mariners are hoping that Feliz can rediscover his former glory, making his journey one worth watching in the upcoming season.