Major League Baseball

Texas skipping Harrison, want consistency for C.J.

Published Aug. 28, 2011 1:48 a.m. ET

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The AL West-leading Texas Rangers are skipping Matt Harrison's next turn in the rotation and planning for C.J. Wilson to pitch every fifth day in September.

Manager Ron Washington said right-hander Scott Feldman will start in Harrison's place Tuesday night in the opener of a home series against Tampa Bay. Harrison (10-9) is expected to take his next scheduled turn Sept. 4 at Boston.

''You're not happy with having to skip a start, especially near the end of the season,'' Harrison said after Washington's announcement Saturday. ''But they think that's what is best for me. ... I understand it. They were honest with me.''

Harrison is 1-2 with a 6.51 ERA in five August starts, and his season ERA has risen from 2.94 to 3.59 in that span. The left-hander allowed seven runs and 11 hits over five innings in a loss Wednesday against Boston. He has already pitched 153 innings, his most since 167 2-3 innings combined in the majors and minors in 2008, and could be on track to start as many as five more times.

''He's in uncharted waters and we're doing what we can to help him get through it,'' Washington said.

Washington addressed the pitching plans for the final month of the regular season before a game against the Los Angeles Angels that Wilson started. The manager said Wilson is expected to be kept on a consistent schedule and pitch every fifth day regardless of the team's off days.

That would set up Wilson to make five more starts in the regular season, including the opener of the regular-season ending series at Los Angeles if the division title is still at stake.

The Rangers also plan to get Alexi Ogando (12-6, 3.57 ERA) an extended break soon, like they did with the first-time starter around the All-Star break. Washington said Derek Holland (12-5, 4.30) their other young starter, doesn't look tired.

Washington said he and pitching coach Mike Maddux have ''made plans for the rest of the year.'' Washington said he wasn't going into the details about those plans, other than Feldman starting Tuesday.

Feldman has a 3.94 ERA in seven relief appearance since returning from offseason right knee surgery. Feldman won 17 games in 2009, and was the opening day starter in 2010 before getting hurt.

There have been two extended relief appearances for Feldman over the last week. He threw 90 pitches over 4 2-3 innings at the Chicago White Sox last Sunday, then threw 54 pitches in four innings against Boston on Thursday.

''I'm somewhat stretched out,'' Feldman said. ''I've had plenty of rest, and my arm's feeling good.''

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