Rangers' Holland suffers shoulder strain, won't throw for 4-6 weeks
The Texas Rangers' 2015 season is beginning like the last one left off.
Riddled by injuries in 2014, leading to the team's first last-place finish in seven years, the club's bad luck has continued.
Southpaw Derek Holland was pulled from his first start after one inning with tightness in the back of his left shoulder not long after fans packed Globe Life Park in Arlington to celebrate the Rangers' home opener. He was diagnosed with a shoulder strain and won't throw for four-to-six weeks.
A visibly upset Holland said he had to stop himself from doing something stupid after learning of the diagnosis.
"This sucks," he told reporters. "I'm pissed."
Holland, who was limited to six appearances in 2014 after undergoing knee surgery, allowed one run on two hits, including a home run to Houston Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie. He was replaced by right-hander Anthony Bass.
Texas fell to 2-3 on the year after losing 5-1 to the Astros.
The 28-year-old Holland, who battled shoulder issues during spring training, failed to hit 90 mph on the radar gun after averaging 93-plus mph a season ago, according to Brooks Baseball.
Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was also lifted from the contest with upper back spasms. Choo, who struck out swinging in his first at-bat, left the contest after the second inning. He said he was feeling much better after the game. Jake Smolinski took his place in right.
Texas began its 2015 campaign without ace Yu Darvish and infielder Jurickson Profar, both of whom were lost to season-ending injuries.