The 2014 season didn't go anything like the Texas Rangers planned, and it didn't go according to Derek Holland's plan, either.
Holland, of course, fell down some stairs in January and needed microfracture surgery on his knee. He originally hoped to be back on a big-league mound by June 1. Then his plan was to return after the all-star break. Now, it's mid-August and he's still waiting on that day to come.
The Rangers' circumstances obviously changed some things as there's certainly no rush to get Holland back out there with the team's struggles, but on Thursday he took a step with the longest outing of his rehab assignment so far. Holland pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run (three total runs) for Triple-A Round Rock and would've likely gotten through four innings if not for a key error behind him.
As a guy who didn't get any spring training, Holland likely needs at least two more rehab starts before a return to Arlington and could possibly need more. At this point, there's no rush to get Holland back, but it would be nice to get him at least a few starts in the big leagues this season so he can have a better idea of where he's at before the offseason comes around.
Last season, Holland pitched more than 200 innings and was projected as the team's No. 2 starter before his freak injury kicked off a historic run of injuries the Rangers have faced this year.
