SURPRISE, Ariz. — Matt Harrison and the Texas Rangers aren’t going to risk potential injuries during spring training.
That’s why Harrison was scratched from his Saturday start with inflammation on the second toe of his left foot. Harrison felt better after playing catch and could throw a bullpen session today, but is still expected to fly back to Texas on Monday and have it evaluated by foot specialist John Crates.Harrison doesn’t view it as a serious injury and believes he simply needs a more customized orthotic in his shoe.“It’s minor, there’s no tear or anything, just inflammation,” Harrison said. “It’s just a matter of getting it out of there. When I drag [during my delivery], I re-aggravate it.”Harrison, who won 18 games and made the All-Star team last season, said he first felt it last year but had no issues with it during the off-season. It resurfaced during a recent bullpen session, and Harrison and the team are taking the cautious route.“It makes no sense to run him out there today,” manager Ron Washington said. “We’ll give him a few days, but we’ll wait and see how this comes along.”Harrison doesn’t want to overcompensate for this injury by altering his delivery, which could lead to arm troubles.He dealt with that issue when the Rangers acquired him at the 2007 trade deadline. He was on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, but it originated from turf toe on his big toe in his left foot.The injuries are not related, Harrison said.Game ready?Kyle McClellan went through the final obstacle before game action without any problems Saturday.He threw a 25-pitch live batting practice and reported no problems afterward.“I threw everything,” said McClellan, who has been slowed by soreness in the back of his shoulder.“The big thing for me is I warmed up well and took it in to face batters. At no point was I thinking about my arm. All my focus was on the plate. For me that was huge.”McClellan, who had shoulder surgery on June 10, could get in a game early next week. He is still being considered a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation, and is also a bullpen option.Ramirez’s progressNeil Ramirez turned in his first clean inning of the spring with a perfect first against the Padres.He struck out the leadoff batter, Everth Cabrera, and then retired the next two on a popup and fly out.It’s a positive step for Ramirez, who allowed five runs in his Cactus League debut on Feb. 25 and then allowed a hit in a scoreless inning of relief on Feb. 27.“That was good,” Ramirez said of his 13-pitch outing. “I just try not to put too much pressure on myself. Just go out there and have fun, after the first couple innings haven’t been great. Today I did a better job of commanding the fastball down in the zone.”Briefly• Mitch Moreland did not play Saturday because of right quad tightness. It’s not considered serious, and the Rangers wanted to avoid Moreland playing in wet conditions on it.• Aaron Cunningham went into Saturday’s game with a .375 average through 11 Cactus League games. Said Ron Washington: “He’s a pro. We have an idea of what Cunningham brings and what he can do and it’s nice to see that he’s performing.”• Ron Washington on Jose Felix catching for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic: “Of course it helps his development, playing in those situations can’t do anything but help.”Drew Davison, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @drewdavison
