Harrison feels good after first bullpen session

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison threw 38 pitches in his first bullpen session on Wednesday since being shut down at the beginning of camp with back and neck stiffness.

"I felt good," Harrison said. "A little erratic the first 10 pitches or so, but I got my timing back and got loosened up."

Barring any setbacks with how his body responds to the workout, Harrison is on track to throw live batting practice Friday, and if that goes well, he'll appear in a "B" game.

Harrison, who missed almost all of last season with a herniated disk in his lower back, initially reported to camp this spring feeling 100 percent, but shortly after, he started feeling discomfort.

"At this point after throwing off the mound, I feel as good today as I did when I came here," Harrison said.

Although the 28-year-old is making steady progress, the Rangers don't expect Harrison to be ready for Opening Day. Mid-April appears like a more realistic goal.

"There's not a set date, but at the same time, I want to be back as soon as possible," Harrison said. "I don't want to drag this thing out. There's no point in that. I want to go as soon as I'm ready to start pitching in games. If that means coming back in the middle of April, that's what it means."