The slow and steady pace Texas pitcher Matt Harrison is taking in his rehab process will now include another week of playing catch from 90 feet.
The good news is that the decision to have Harrison throw from 90 feet again next week instead of move back to 105 feet has everything to do with mechanics and nothing to do with his surgically-repaired back.
"It's to get the right hip rotation and square back up," said Harrison, who was part of a large Rangers' contingent Saturday at Dr Pepper Ballpark. "I'm not able to rotate like I want to. We're adding another week of 90 feet to get my mechanics right."
Harrison thinks he'll be able to go out to 105 feet the week of Feb. 9. That week he could also get on a mound and do some dry work in an effort to get him used to throwing from a mound again.
Harrison, who is trying to pitch after having spinal fusion surgery, is upbeat about the progress he's made even though there's no timeline for his return to the Rangers.
"Overall I can't complain," he said. "I feel really good. It's more tedious stuff than I've ever done before. It's kind of boring but I'm going to do what I've got to do."
Facelift for Frisco
While there were plenty of fans at Dr Pepper Ballpark Saturday for the Rangers caravan, the park will have a different look when the Roughriders open the season in April.
The park, which is the Double-A home for the Rangers, will have a new video board and sound system in addition to plenty of other upgrades at the park.
"Dr Pepper Ballpark truly is iconic in its original design," team owner Chuck Greenberg said. "But after a dozen or so years, things get worn down and it's time to upgrade it. We're planning massive upgrades to anything that has to do with entertainment."
Greenberg declined to put a dollar amount on the cost of renovations. They'll be unveiled in February and will also include upgrades in food as well as the team's new logo and uniforms. There will also be new outfield wall LEDs, new camera for in-game entertainment as well as a new team store.
Profar good
Jurickson Profar is pleased with the way his right shoulder has responded to the throwing program he's on.
Profar, who played catch from 60 feet this week, will start throwing from 75 feet next week as he attempts to come back from a torn shoulder muscle that cost him the entire 2014 season.
He's also slated to take some dry swings from the right side.
Profar said Saturday that his goal is to play all the games in spring training. The Rangers have said that he'll be behind the rest of the positional players and will likely be limited to designated-hitting duties in early spring games.
