First, a brief update on Derek Holland. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Derek Holland will undergo an MRI Monday on his knee.
↵↵↵Derek Holland’s right knee injury is the same as the one he suffered in spring training, when he kneecap popped out of place. He will have an MRI Monday, but the team expects him to resume throwing in three to five days.
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It’s good news that the team doesn’t expect the injury to be of consequence, but the Rangers got even better news on Saturday when Tommy Hunter pitched a pain free bullpen session. Hunter, who replaced Holland in the rotation, suffered a hip flexor injury against the Marlins earlier this week. Per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram again, the club expects Hunter to make his start on Tuesday.
↵That Hunter will be able to pitch on Tuesday is excellent news for the Rangers. The Rangers bullpen has been working overtime this past week despite the fact that Texas has yet to use. Three relievers pitched on on the 15th, followed by four relievers on both the 16th and 17th before Feldman went deep into the game on Friday and Texas only needing to use two relievers. With Lewis and Wilson going the next two days against an anemic Houston team, the Rangers bullpen can hopefully get some more rest before the Rangers play host to the Pirates on Tuesday when Tommy Hunter’s turn in the rotation comes up. The DH will be back in play this week as well, which is more good news for the bullpen as well.
↵Lastly, why would an astronaut want the Silver Boot? Luckily for Houston, they likely won’t have to worry about that as Texas looks to inch closer tonight to keeping the Silver Boot in Arlington with, quite frankly, the best free agent signing of the off season, Colby Lewis on the mound tonight.