Simulated game next step for Derek Holland

Derek Holland wants to begin a medical rehabilitation assignment and return to the Rangers’ rotation as soon as possible. But club officials aren’t ready to send him out yet after he went through pitchers’ fielding practice exercises on Thursday.

Instead, Holland will continue his rehab by throwing a simulated game Saturday in Texas.

“Not quite full speed, game speed, but a little more of an intense test with the knee,” general manager Jon Daniels said of the sim game. “We’ll have guys bunt on him and run on him and the whole deal.”

Holland hasn’t pitched all year after a fluke accident with his dog forced him to undergo microfracture surgery on his left knee in the off-season. He reiterated once again that he’s waiting for the go-ahead.

Manager Ron Washington said Holland looked better fielding his position Thursday, but wouldn’t put a timeline on his return.

“Whatever time it takes, we’re going to give it to him,” Washington said.

This story was originally published June 26, 2014 at 7:39 PM with the headline "Simulated game next step for Derek Holland."