Neftali Feliz clears waivers, may elect free agency

Rangers' right-hander Neftali Feliz cleared outright waivers after being designated for assignment by the club, according to a baseball source. Feliz will now decide to either accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock or elect free agency.

Although a fresh start with a new club may be attractive to Feliz, he is considered likely to accept the minors assignment in order to collect his remaining salary (about $2 million) for the season. He signed a one-year, $4.125 million deal to avoid arbitration last winter before posting a 4.58 ERA in 19.2 innings for the Rangers this season.

Feliz, 27, would likely draw interest from multiple contenders if he hit the open market, with the Tigers, Blue Jays and Rockies among the teams who are known to be looking at adding bullpen help. The former AL Rookie of the Year has struggled with injuries since his breakout season in 2010, but still may hold appeal as a potential high-upside addition for clubs.