Fansided

Rangers’ Matt Harrison sent to Texas for MRI

By Matt Fisher

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August 08, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison (54) heads to the dugout after being relieved by manager Ron Washington (not pictured) during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
August 08, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison (54) heads to the dugout after being relieved by manager Ron Washington (not pictured) during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

It was originally just a stiff back as a result of getting back into the swing of things.

Now, left handed pitcher Matt Harrison is on a plane back to Dallas to see the surgeon who operated on his back twice last year. The lower back stiffness along with a sore neck are being felt on the opposite side of where Harrison had the surgeries, but the 28-year old tells the Associated Press that he is hopeful that he will be able to be an asset to his club.

"I just hope that it’s not a serious issue and something I can take a few days down and stay on top of my core program and get right back out there, and hopefully that’s the case. It’s not fair to say that I’m not worried about it, because I’ve had a lot of issues recently."

Harrison signed a 6-year, $57.95 million contract extension before the 2012 season. That season, Harrison was the Rangers’ pitcher of the year, pitching to an 18-11 record with a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts. He earned an All-Star game appearance and finished 8th in the Cy Young voting. In 2013, he started and lost two games before having two season ending surgeries on his back. Being shut down until after the MRI means that Harrison is approximately two weeks behind the other pitchers in Spring Training.

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