Whenever Derek Holland returns from injury to the Texas Rangers' starting rotation, the team will have a wealth of starting pitching depth assuming no one else gets injured along the way.
That time was originally set to be sometime in July after the all-star break, but Holland has said several times his goal is be back in June, and he's even gone as far as to set June 1 as a personal goal. Seeing the likes of Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison return in recent weeks after msising more than a year of action has to be motivating for Holland, as well.
On Monday, Holland took fielding practice with Ron Washington at first base and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday before heading back to Arizona at some point later in the week to continue his throwing program.
Holland put his knee at about 80 percent, though he said his arm is ready for action.
"I trust it," Holland told the Star-Telegram. "I'm just not getting as much push off my leg, so just a matter of getting that going."
With Tanner Scheppers already heading back to the bullpen whenever he comes off the DL, Holland's return could mark Robbie Ross Jr. returning to the shaky bullpen, as well, even though Ross has been much more effective as a starter than Scheppers ever dreamed of being.
