Derek Holland Update

Sep 7, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland (45) during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland hurt himself this off-season by tripping over his dog, I think we all know that. He has began walking without his crutches, he even tweeted about it yesterday.

On with the Ben and Skin show on 105.3 the Fan, Derek talked a little about his recovery and when he expected to return to the Texas Rangers rotation.

"“I feel like I’m going to start hopefully doing rehab stuff, rehab games and everything in May and shoot for June 1.” Holland said. “That’s my dream. That’s my goal. That’s what I’m going for. The way that things have been going I feel like that’s very possible. But I’m no doctor. I don’t know. I’ve got to do these guys tell me.”"

So what would it mean to the Texas Rangers if Derek Holland could be back in the Texas Rangers rotation by June 1st? Well, we are talking about a man who was slated to be the Texas Rangers number two starter behind Yu Darvish, and man who had an ERA of 3.42, a WAR of 4.8 and an xFIP of 3.68 in 2013. We are talking about a man who has pitched 213 innings last season and 175.1 in 2012 and 198 innings in 2011. Derek Holland averaged 7.99 strikeouts per nine innings last season (FanGraphs). He is a very good young pitcher, and the earlier the Texas Rangers can get Derek Holland back on the mound the better in my opinion.

Is Derek Holland being overly optimistic for his return? Will he be back by the first of June? We won’t know the answers to those questions until we get there, but my hope is that whenever he comes back, he comes back healthy and ready to play some serious baseball. The Texas Rangers need a healthy Derek Holland, lets hope we get one by June first.