ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers haven't made any roster moves or officially named their Tuesday starter but all signs continue to point to Matt Harrison getting the call.
The left-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since last May 13 and has only made six big-league starts since the end of 2013. Harrison, who had spinal fusion surgery last June, is excited about getting back to this point.
"It has been a long road to get back to this point," Harrison said. "A lot of people helped me along the way. It is amazing to be at this point. I'm excited to get back on a Major League mound. I have to control my emotions as best as I can."
Harrison doesn't have the same velocity he had before the surgery but that still may come back. He made six starts during his rehab stint and went 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA. Manager Jeff Banister isn't making too big a deal about those numbers.
Banister saw Harrison throw two bullpens in Toronto last weekend and liked what he saw.
"I watched him throw off the mound in Toronto and the ball was coming out of his hand cleanly," Banister said. "He had good velocity and his breaking ball was crisp. His fastball had good sink and running life to it. Watching those two bullpens piqued my interest the most."
Harrison said he knows he's a different pitcher than the one who started Game 7 of the 2011 World Series and followed that up with an All-Star season in 2013.
He's adjusted for that.
"I feel good physically and mechanically," he said. "I just need to get out there. I have learned to pitch with less stuff but I'm confident in myself that I can command the strike zone, be aggressive and get people out. The movement is still there, my breaking pitches are still there my changeup is still there. Just less velocity but that will come back in time."
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