ARLINGTON, Texas -- Derek Holland, who was expected to be the ace of the Texas Rangers rotation, left his first start of the season after just nine pitches Friday.
Holland felt some stiffness in the back of his left shoulder and is being further evaluated.
Holland allowed a first-inning homer to Jed Lowrie and his fastball never reached 90 mph.
He was replaced by Anthony Bass.
Holland was slowed in spring training by soreness in his left shoulder, but not in the same area of his issue Friday. His last start came Sunday in a minor-league exhibition.
Holland made just five September starts for the Rangers last season after injuring his left knee and undergoing microfracture surgery.
Holland wasn't the only Texas starter to depart early Friday. Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo left after two innings because of back spasms and was replaced by Jake Smolinski. Choo, who hit his first homer of the season Thursday, is day-to-day.
Three innings later the Rangers lost a third starter as left fielder Ryan Rua exited with a sprained right ankle. X-rays were negative on Rua, who hurt the ankle running into the left field corner to field a ball.
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