Rangers clear Matt Harrison for rehab assignment - MLB

On the disabled list as he tries to return from multiple back surgeries last season, Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison has been cleared to make a minor-league rehab start Thursday at Double-A.

Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas reports that Harrison is scheduled to throw four innings and “likely needs a few more starts, every five days, before he could join the rotation.”

That seemingly rules him out until May, especially since the Rangers will probably avoid rushing Harrison along after he was limited to just two starts last season due to back surgeries and Thoracic Outlet Syndrom.

Prior to having his 2013 ruined by health problems Harrison threw 213 innings with a 3.29 ERA for the Rangers in 2012, so whether it’s late April or early May getting him back would be a huge boost to Texas’ injury wrecked rotation.

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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.