ARLINGTON, Texas - The injury-ravaged Rangers could really use Derek Holland back in the rotation, and Holland really wants to go on a rehab assignment.
However, there will be no rush job after Holland tested his surgically repaired left knee Monday in a workout in front of manager Ron Washington.
"The leg was a little stiff here and there on some of the things I was doing," Holland said. "I've got a couple more things to work on."
Holland had microfracture surgery on the knee in January. He had hoped to be far enough along to go to the minors on a rehab assignment, which would have put his recovery ahead of schedule.
"I guess it just wasn't as good as I thought," Holland said. "They want to make sure everything is right, and I do too. I want it to be a one-time thing. I don't want this to be something where I've got to go back on the DL. I want to get it right the first time."
Washington said Holland didn't pass the eyeball test after watching him field balls off the mound in a workout session at Globe Life Park.
"He's not ready for rehab, so he's got to work," Washington said. "Yeah, it's better. But it's not ready for competition. Our projection was (for Holland to return) after the All-Star break, so no need to be getting excited right now."
Holland will return to the Rangers' Surprise, Arizona facility to continue work on strengthening his knee. He is scheduled to return to Texas on June 24 to be re-evaluated.
Injured outfielder Engel Beltre also worked out before Monday's game. Beltre, who fractured his right tibia in spring training, was given a more positive assessment after running the bases in front of Washington.
"He's running well; really didn't see him laboring," Washington said. "Next step for him I guess, is to get down to Arizona and get some action. Do some sliding, all that."
Infielder Jurickson Profar, who re-aggravated a shoulder strain recently, will join Beltre in Arizona for conditioning work.
More good news on Odor's shoulder
Rookie second baseman Rougned Odor was available to hit off the bench Monday after spraining his right shoulder the day before.
Odor, who was injured getting picked off first, said he's had the injury before. An MRI showed nothing that would prevent him from playing.
"He can hit, but we're going to keep him from throwing for a day or so," Washington said. "But he's available off the bench if I need him in an emergency. So that was good news."
Moreland to get second opinion on ankle
On Sunday, the Rangers announced that first baseman Mitch Moreland would have reconstruction surgery on his left ankle and miss three months.
Monday afternoon, the club announced that Moreland would have surgery on Wednesday to remove the os trigonum bone in his ankle. The procedure would cause him to miss just 3-4 weeks.
Catcher Geovany Soto had his os trigonum, a small bone at the back of the ankle, removed in spring training prior to the knee injury that currently has him sidelined.
Minutes later, the prognosis changed again and the Rangers said Moreland had elected to get a second opinion about the ankle.
The Rangers did not make a roster move Monday. Donnie Murphy remains the number one option at first base.
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
