Holland Gets Start Set in Stone

Derek Holland had an unrelated, minor setback over the weekend when he was scratched from what was supposed to be his final rehab outing with back spasms. By the next day, he said he felt fine and was ready to go.

Now, he will make his final rehab start on Thursday before returning to the big club and making his season debut, likely in Kansas City next week.

Holland was projected to be the Rangers' No. 2 starter this season before disaster struck before spring training even began. The lefty tripped over his dog, fell down some stairs and needed microfracture surgery on his knee. He's finally ready to go, three months after his personal goal and nearly two months after the team's initial goal for his return.

Of course, the return is hinging on Holland not having anymore setbacks, but that's not expected as the back spasm issue was apparently completely unrelated. The fact Holland's arm is fine is reassuring, and if the original injury was of the arm variety, he'd probably just be shut down for the season after even an unrelated setback.

But the Rangers and Holland both want to see where their reliable lefty stands entering the 2015 season, and even if he gets just four starts under his belt before end of the season, it'll be better than zero.

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