The hope was that Derek Holland would be cleared for a minor league rehab assignment if he showed enough progress with his surgically-repaired left knee during a workout today, but Rangers manager Ron Washington told Travis L. Brown of ESPN Dallas that he’s not ready yet.
Holland underwent microfracture knee surgery back in January. The final hurdle for a rehab assignment appears to be fielding his position. While the southpaw thinks he’s ready to pitch in games right now, he admitted that his leg was stiff today while covering first base and fielding bunts.
“I guess it just wasn’t as good,” Holland said. “It was their opinion. I’m going to go by them. They want to make sure everything is right. I do, too. I want it to be a one-time thing. I don’t want this to be a thing that I have to go back on the DL. I want to get it right the first time.”
Holland will focus on strengthening his leg for now and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Washington doesn’t expect him to join the team’s rotation until after the All-Star break.
