Derek Holland failed to earn a spot in the Rangers’ starting rotation this spring with Scott Feldman, Rich Harden, C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison being anointed the five spots. It doesn’t make a difference now, though, because Holland will get a taste of big league action in the middle of next week.
According to MLB.com’s T.R Sullivan, Holland will be used on either Wednesday or Thursday as a fill-in for the 24-year-old Harrison, who may be headed for the disabled list with tendinitis in his throwing arm.
Holland, 23, posted a disappointing 6.12 ERA and 1.50 WHIP last season in 21 starts (33 appearances) for the Rangers. But he has been on a roll at Triple-A Oklahoma City, with a 4-1 record, a 0.93 ERA and a 37/7 K/BB ratio through six starts. Holland was selected by the Rangers in the 25th round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft.