MESA, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux said he went to check on right-handed starter Neftali Feliz after the third inning of Tuesday's 6-2 Texas win over the Chicago Cubs (something Maddux does after every inning when he pitches) and saw Feliz rubbing his right shoulder.

"He said it was tight, so we didn't take any chances," Maddux said.

Feliz iced his shoulder and then watched a few innings from the dugout before leaving with some of the regulars and heading back to Surprise to be evaluated.

The 23-year-old threw 54 pitches in three scoreless innings against the Cubs with a walk and a strikeout. His fastball velocity was 93- to 95-mph and he did a nice job of pitching out of a few jams. But after the third inning, he did not trot out for the fourth. Left-handed pitcher Neal Cotts came in at that point. Feliz was scheduled to pitch four innings.

Feliz was on the disabled list once last season (April 21-May 5) with right shoulder inflammation. He went through some similar discomfort last spring before starting the season and eventually landing on the disabled list. The club isn't sure if this is similar to that or not.

"If it is, we've got to find out what's causing it and make an adjustment," Maddux said.