Texas Rangers Update: Derek Holland Out Till July

The Texas Rangers have lost another pitcher this season.

Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland will be out at least July due to a subscapularis strain in his left shoulder. Holland became the Rangers' No. 1 pitcher after they lost Yu Darvish to Tommy John surgery.

In the Ranger's home opener, which they lost 5-1 to the Houston Astros, on Friday, Holland threw a total of nine pitches before he started to feel tightness around his shoulder. Holland left the game to get his shoulder checked out. The Rangers announced that he will be evaluated within a month and will either be required to rest or put in a throwing program. He will not, however, need surgery.

"I told them I was a little stiff but I was going to get through it. Just let me finish this guy," Holland said. "Pretty much as soon as it was over I was going to come in and say something."

Despite Holland's perseverance, it became obvious that something was wrong. Out of the nine pitches that Holland threw, not a single one was faster than 89 miles per hour. Based on the numbers published by fangraphs.com, Holland's average fastball is around 93.2 mph. Holland ended up throwing seven fastballs, one curveball and a slider.

On his last pitch, Jed Lowrie hit a home run. After the run, Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos and third baseman Adrain Beltre walked to the mound and found out that Holland was stiff. Holland was then taken out of the game.

"With what Derek went through last year, and how good he's looked this spring, it's disappointing, obviously," general manager Jon Daniels said. "His last tune-up -- I wasn't there, but the guys that were said he looked tremendous -- there was no indication or signs that anything was wrong."

Holland has missed a good portion of spring training due to a similar issue.

"I'm beat up about this," Holland said. "I felt it on the last warm-up pitch and I just wanted to make sure I got through the inning. Everything was great in the 'pen. I joke around about it now with Chirinos. I was spotting up, everything was good, ball was coming out great and then to come out here and throw the first pitch and have it go down the drain like that, it crushes you."

He added, in regards to finding out his diagnosis, "I had to control myself and keep away from doing something stupid."

Holland will most likely not throw at all for a minimum of four weeks. He will then focus rebuilding his strength.