Fansided

Rangers Derek Holland hopeful to rehab in 2 weeks

By Matt Fisher

May 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland (45) watches his team take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Blue Jays shut out the Rangers 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland (45) watches his team take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Blue Jays shut out the Rangers 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Texas Rangers rotation has been in shambles since before Spring Training began. It has just now begun to settle down thanks to the strong performances of Nick Martinez and Nick Tepesch, but nobody’s going to say that the Rangers wouldn’t welcome some reinforcements.

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The cavalry may only be a month away now. Even though Derek Holland wanted to be back in a game situation before the beginning of June, the Rangers will take what they can get. What they can get is the lefty back right around the end of June, which is far closer to the originally predicted return date for Holland.

Derek Holland has been out since January after tripping over his dog on the stairs and undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee. That injury seemed to be the catalyst for a string of terrible events leading to the Rangers utilizing the disabled list a Major-League leading 17 times for their projected starting roster. Holland was initially very aggressive in his projection for his return, saying he was pushing for a return date of mid-May to early-June. MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan says that Holland will have to undergo some more tests and drills before being sent to either Frisco or Round Rock for rehab.

"Holland, who underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee on Jan. 10, has been able to throw regularly in the bullpen without issues. The concern is being able to field his position and make tough throws pushing off his back leg. He is not able to do that right now with any consistency."

Right now, the concern isn’t with Holland’s arm strength, but a lot of strength, speed, and power comes from the drive leg. Couple that with the fact that Holland is considered one of the Rangers’ core members, one that they locked up to a multi-year deal two winters ago, and the team is likely to take it slow and steady with Derek to ensure that he comes back and comes back for good.

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