ARLINGTON, Texas - Derek Holland's fielding drills Thursday for the coaching staff of the Texas Rangers were better than his last attempt to convince the team he's ready for a rehab assignment.
They weren't good enough though.
The Rangers have set up a simulated game for Holland Saturday morning and after that they'll decide what's next for him. Holland hasn't pitched in a game this year yet as he's recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee.
While Holland believes he's ready the Rangers still need to see more.
"Whatever it takes we're going to give it to him," Texas manager Ron Washington said of a timeline.
While the team is struggling there are no plans to shut Holland down and focus on 2015. They just want to make sure his knee can hold up to the rigors of starting. Saturday will be another step.
"Not quite full speed, game speed, but a little more of an intense test with the knee," general manager Jon Daniels said. "We'll have guys bunt on him and run on him and the whole deal."
While Holland appears to be close to a rehab stint, that's not the case for right-hander Alexi Ogando. Ogando, on the disabled list since June 4 with right elbow inflammation, got a second opinion on his arm from Dr. James Andrews. Andrews' agreed with the Texas team doctor Keith Meister's assessment. Ogando will sit for another three weeks and then have his elbow examined again.
