Derek Holland was the first of a long string of devastating injuries the Texas Rangers have suffered this season.
The team's projected No. 2 starter didn't even make it to spring training after he tripped over his dog and fell down stairs, requiring microfracture surgery on his knee.
He's been dead set on the idea that he'd be back June 1, which has now come and gone. And that's OK, as it would've been a rehab way ahead of schedule. But the timetable for Holland's return has always been sometime around the all-star break, which is about a month away.
Holland has thrown off a mound and could be out on a rehab assignment soon. He's still trying to strengthen the repaired knee, and general manager Jon Daniels is in no rush to get him back on the mound.
"He actually went on the big league road trip this last week or so," Daniels told KESN 103.3 FM. "He worked with Jose Vazquez, our strength and conditioning coach. We are trying to get that leg up to speed as quick as we can and as soon as we do, he'll go on a rehab assignment."
Holland is just fine throwing, but the concern is the fielding aspect and specifically going off the mound to the third base side.
Daniels added that while it's still possible the Rangers could get Holland back in the rotation by the end of June, early July is still the most likely return date.
