Rangers mulling Derek Holland’s return date from disabled list

Derek Holland makes his third rehab start for Triple A Round Rock on Monday and could be an option for the Rangers as early as Saturday against the Rays in Tampa Bay.

The Rangers will wait and see how the left-hander responds to what is supposed to be a 75-pitch start in Salt Lake City. Depending on how his night goes, Holland could throw a 20-pitch bullpen session after he comes out of the game.

His pending return from inflammation in his throwing shoulder, which put him on the disabled list June 21, gives manager Jeff Banister multiple options for adjusting his rotation for the last month and a half of the season. Two days off in the next eight days also allows for rotation flexibility.

“We have an opportunity with the off days, with Derek coming back, to be able to maneuver our rotation which we feel it best suits us for every series in front of us,” Banister said. “We want to be prudent and smart with how we do this.”

That means not rushing Holland back. He’s eligible to come off the DL on Saturday, but if the club sees fit, they could have him make one more minor league start before having him return to face the Indians Aug. 25-28.

“Do we want to insert Holland immediately or can we give him another turn to really ramp him up?” Banister said. “We have options. It always depends on how it plays out, how they feel.”

Perez’s routine

Martin Perez started using a stationary bike instead of running outside and he thinks it has helped him stay fresh through August.

Perez, who starts the opener Monday against the Oakland A’s, has thrown a career-high 145 innings. That’s 20  1/3 more innings than his previous high in 2013, his first full season in the big leagues. His 2014 season was cut short by Tommy John surgery.

“Before, I was doing all my running outside, trying to sweat and exercise my legs,” said Perez, who is 7-8 with a 4.22 ERA. “Now I go in the weight room and do my bicycle for an hour, hour-and-a-half, and I can feel the change. It’s amazing how I feel when I pitch. Colby told me to do it, so I started to do it and it’s helped me a lot.”

At first, Perez was reluctant. But he finally started riding the bike at the All-Star break.

“I feel good, man,” he said. “I’m trying not to do too much stuff outside because it’s hot and I don’t want to get tired. I was a little scared to do it, because sometimes you don’t want to try stuff during the season.

“I didn’t know if I was going to feel good, or if I was going to feel tired. But the second half I’ve mixed it into my routine so I’m sticking with it, it works for me. You guys can see when I’m in the sixth and seventh innings I’m still able to throw 94-96 [mph]. That’s good for me.”

Profar’s first

Jurickson Profar made his first outfield assist Friday night in left field. He threw out Detroit’s Mike Aviles as he tried running to third on a single. Profar was surprised to see Aviles attempt to move up with the ball right in front of him. He threw a strike to Adrian Beltre, who made the tag and held on to the ball despite being barreled over by Aviles.

“It was great. It was a good moment,” said Profar, who was grinning ear to ear after the play. “Yes, I was surprised. [There were] no outs and the ball was right there.

“I was just making sure I got the ball first because it was moving. I picked the ball up and saw he was going. I was happy. I always wanted to throw people out like that so I hope get more chances.”

Profar has started 11 games each at first and second base, 10 games at third base, five times in left field, and started for the seventh time at shortstop on Sunday.

This story was originally published August 14, 2016 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Rangers mulling Derek Holland’s return date from disabled list."