Rangers pitcher Derek Holland left Friday’s start against the Astros after pitching just one inning due to a left shoulder injury. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Holland will be shut down for four to six weeks with a sub-scapula sprain of his left shoulder. That likely means he’ll be out at least a couple of months.
Anthony Bass relieved Holland in the game and pitched five strong innings, allowing only one run. Bass is a candidate to take Holland’s vacated spot in the starting rotation. Nick Tepesch is another candidate. The Rangers could also seek pitching help from outside the organization.
As for Holland, it’s another stroke of bad luck as he missed most of the 2014 season after undergoing microfracture knee surgery in January following a fall at home.