It's been a frustrating couple of years for Derek Holland, and in turn, it's been maddening for the Texas Rangers.
Holland, who was really good in 2013, looked poised to pitch like a legitimate No. 2 starter in 2014 but instead missed the first five months of that season after falling down his stairs and needing microfracture surgery on his knee. He pitched the final month of 2014 and was fantastic without the benefit of any kind of rehab assignment.
Then in 2015, with more reason for optimism, Holland lasted one inning of his season debut before leaving with an ailing shoulder that kept him out another four-and-a-half months. This time when he came back, he wasn't so great. In fact, he hit an all-time low in Game 4 of the ALDS with an awful outing.
Now, the Rangers want their 29-year-old lefty to pitch like he should be at this age, and do it more consistently.
"We got a look of what he's capable of against Baltimore," manager Jeff Banister told reporters. "The big question for me is the consistency, seeing it every fifth day. He's ultra-aware of that. We've had conversations about it."
Holland projects as the Rangers' No. 2 starter behind Cole Hamels and then would slide back to the No. 3 slot when Yu Darvish returns, hopefully by mid-May.
