Tateyama needed only 12 pitches to toss a perfect inning against Seattle on Saturday. It was the first time he'd pitched in two weeks after getting time off to clear his head following a couple disastrous outings. "He was the old Tateyama," said manager Ron Washington. "I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent now, but I'm in a better place," Tateyama said. With Mike Adams, Nefatli Feliz, Koji Uehara, Michael Gonzalez, Darren Oliver and Alexi Ogando looking like locks for the bullpen, the Rangers are expected to carry eight relievers. That leaves Tateyama fighting with Mike Kirkman, Scott Feldman and Darren O'Day for two spots. |
The Rangers signed Tateyama over the winter in hopes that he would contend for a spot in the bullpen, but the 35-year-old right-hander has allowed four runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings this spring. De Los Santos, 22, was recently ranked as the organization's No. 10 prospect by Baseball America. |