Neftali Feliz struggled in his Cactus League debut against the White Sox on Sunday, surrendering two runs on three hits in his inning of work.

Feliz allowed the light-hitting Tyler Flowers to take him deep for a two-run homer in the sixth inning, as a fastball caught far too much of the plate. While he entered camp as the favorite to win the closer's job, a strong showing by Joakim Soria on Sunday may have closed the gap a bit.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that Neftali Feliz was "not sharp" during a recent intrasquad game and his mechanics are "still kind of out of whack."

Grant adds that Feliz is "not getting his arm extended enough to max out the velocity." Feliz was reportedly clocked in the upper 90s during the Dominican Winter League, but it appears he's had trouble letting it loose so for this spring. Both Feliz and Joakim Soria are slated to pitch in Sunday's game versus the White Sox and will be worth keeping an eye on. They're the main competitors for the Rangers' closer job.

Neftali Feliz (shoulder) said he felt good after throwing a five-minute bullpen session on Friday.

He had experienced some soreness in his shoulder earlier in camp, but that appears to be a non-issue moving forward. He'll throw a 10-minute live batting practice session on Sunday, putting him basically on par with the rest of the relievers in camp. He's the favorite to begin the season as the Rangers closer provided he makes it through the spring healthy.

Neftali Feliz had a scheduled live batting practice session pushed from Wednesday to Friday so that the reliever could work on his mechanics instead.

The club was concerned that Feliz's mechanics were leading to some shoulder soreness. The good news is that he appears back on track, so it should be of no concern. Feliz is the leading candidate to be the Rangers' closer this season.

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Neftali Feliz was clocked at 98 mph during the Dominican Winter League.

Even more encouraging is that he was throwing that hard in what was the second of back-to-back appearances. Feliz was sitting in the low 90s late last season for the Rangers after he made his way back from Tommy John surgery, so his velocity appearing to return to what it was pre-operation is certainly great news. Joakim Soria and Tanner Scheppers will compete with him in spring training for the closer's job, but the ninth inning should be Feliz's if he shows well in Cactus League action.

Rangers avoided arbitration with RHP Neftali Feliz by agreeing to a one-year, $3 million contract.

Feliz, who was arbitration-eligible for the second time, can also earn an additional $50,000 in appearance incentives. He missed most of 2013 while working his way back from Tommy John surgery but is expected to serve as the Rangers' closer in 2014.

Neftali Feliz hopes to be a reliever for the rest of his career and he's focused on winning back his former job as the Rangers' closer.

"It is very important for me," Feliz said of the ninth-inning job. "I have been a closer already. Nobody will take it away from me ... because I want to go back to a World Series and win it. I think this is our year to do it." The 25-year-old owns 74 career saves. Joakim Soria and Tanner Scheppers are expected to be Feliz's primary competition for the gig. Is the job Feliz's to lose? "Well, I can't answer that question right now because we haven't told Feliz he got the job as the closer," skipper Ron Washington said. "So the only thing we're concerned about is he makes it through winter ball healthy. If his arm makes it through winter ball healthy, we'll deal with that in Spring Training."

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com believes that Neftali Feliz is the leading candidate to open the 2014 season as the Rangers closer.

The 25-year-old served in that role admirably during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, before shifting to the rotation in 2012 and eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has proven in the past how dominant he can be in that role, and would be a very valuable fantasy commodity if he wins the job outright. Tanner Scheppers and Joakim Soria could also be in the mix for saves.

Neftali Feliz has wrapped up his winter ball season.

Feliz was pitching for Los Toros del Este of the Dominican Winter League and they failed to qualify for the playoffs, which begin this week. He made 10 appearances and held his opponents to a .176 batting average. The right-hander could the Rangers' closer in 2014.

Neftali Feliz will pitch for Este Toros in the Dominican Winter League.

Feliz needs the work, as he logged just 15 1/3 innings between the minors and majors this season while in rehab mode after Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old rejoined the Rangers as a reliever in September, but his role for 2014 is up in the air.

Neftali Feliz (elbow) threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief on Sunday against the Twins.

It was his first appearance since May 2012. Feliz is finally recovered from Tommy John surgery and will be a weapon out of the Rangers' bullpen down the stretch.

Rangers activated RHP Neftali Feliz from the 60-day disabled list.

The 25-year-old is coming back from Tommy John surgery, and looked impressive on his minor league rehab assignment, tossing 8 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and fanning nine. He'll work in a setup role in front of incumbent closer Joe Nathan.

Neftali Feliz will be activated from the disabled list and return to the Rangers when rosters expand on Sunday.

The original plan was for Feliz to throw another inning with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, but apparently the Rangers feel he has shown enough already with 8 2/3 scoreless frames. He'll pitch in a setup role for the Rangers.

Neftali Feliz (elbow, triceps) will throw one inning to complete his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

As long as that inning goes smoothly without any setbacks, Feliz is expected to be activated from the disabled list and rejoin the Rangers on Sunday or Monday. Thus far, he's tossed 8 2/3 scoreless frames, allowing just four hits and walking two while striking out nine. He'll work in a setup role in front of closer Joe Nathan upon his return.

Neftali Feliz (elbow, triceps) will be activated from the disabled list on Sunday or Monday.

Feliz has resumed his rehab assignment after missing some time with triceps soreness. He's unscored up over seven appearances, striking out nine over 7 2/3 innings. The Rangers plan to use him in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen initially, but he should eventually work his way into later in the game.

Neftali Feliz (elbow, triceps) will make his next minor league rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Round Rock.

Feliz struck out one batter over two scoreless innings in his most recent appearance on Sunday. The Rangers are currently mulling over whether to give him another two-inning outing or have him go on back-to-back days. Either way, he appears on track to join the Rangers' bullpen in September.

Neftali Feliz (elbow, triceps) tossed a scoreless inning during his most recent rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Feliz was reportedly in the 89-93 range with his fastball, and didn't report any issues after the appearance. He's slated to appear in another game over the weekend, and barring any setbacks should be looking at a return to the Rangers bullpen in early September.

Neftali Feliz (elbow, triceps) pitched a scoreless inning of relief Monday in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock.

Feliz struck out two batters and threw 10 out of 17 pitches for strikes. He has now made two appearances since a brief setback with right biceps tendinitis. Barring any further issues, he should join the Rangers' bullpen in September. The 25-year-old right-hander is currently making his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Neftali Feliz (elbow, triceps) felt good following a bullpen session Thursday.

Feliz was scratched from a rehab appearance last Saturday due to right triceps tendinitis, but it's not consider a major setback. While he's unlikely to return to the Rangers this month, there's still a chance he'll contribute out of the bullpen in September. The 25-year-old is making his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Neftali Feliz (elbow, triceps) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

Feliz was scratched from a rehab appearance Saturday due to right triceps tendinitis, but he wasn't shut down for very long. The Rangers are hoping to get him back sometime next month. "It's a Spring Training type deal, a little soreness in his triceps," GM Jon Daniels said. "He doesn't feel it at all when he's playing catch. When he ramps up and throws with velocity when he's in a game, that's when he felt it a couple times."