For the first time since September, Texas Rangers lefty Derek Holland was on a mound in a competitive game as he made his rehab debut with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday night, and all things considered, his night went really well.
Holland was scheduled to work two innings and was on a pitch count, and he actually got through the two innings instead of hitting his pitch limit first. He worked the pair of scoreless innings without giving up a hit, but did walk two, while fanning four batters.
Holland, who tossed over 200 innings last year, was projected to be the Rangers' No. 2 starter this season before that plan was derailed after he fell down stairs in his home after tripping over his dog. He underwent microfracture surgery on his knee. He's hoping to return to the Rangers' rotation for the final two months of the season, but would likely need at least three more rehab outings before appearing in Arlington.
His next scheduled outing would be Monday, when Frisco has a scheduled off-day but Triple-A Round Rock has a scheduled doubleheader. If Holland can come back and show positive signs over the course of September, it'd be a nice thing to know heading into the winter and the 2015 season.
