The Texas Rangers have begun preliminary negotiations on a contract extension with left-handed starting pitcher Matt Harrison, according to a report from Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The southpaw, who has two years of salary arbitration remaining before he is eligible to become a free agent, was paid $2.95 million last season.

Harrison was a workhorse for the Rangers during the 2012 campaign. In 213⅓ innings, the 27-year-old posted an 18-11 record and a 3.29 ERA, finished eighth in the American League Cy Young voting and was named to his first American League All-Star team.

In addition to Harrison, the Rangers are faced with other important decisions with regards to contract extensions this offseason, as shortstop Elvis Andrus and right-hander Alexi Ogando are both candidates for extensions.

The club inked left-hander Derek Holland to a five-year, $28.5 million extension in March, and gave second baseman Ian Kinsler a five-year, $75 million extension in April.