Lefties Harrison, Perez recover from injuries as camp begins

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers will have 32 pitchers in camp on Saturday. Left-handers Matt Harrison and Martin Perez are among them, but both remain on a limited throwing program while recovering from their injuries.

Perez threw on flat ground from 120 feet in his latest throwing session as he continues his recovery from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery. He is hoping to start throwing off a mound sometime toward the end of camp, and the target is for a July return.

"It's good," Perez said. "It's great to be able to throw every day again. I just want to do everything right and come back and help my team. I feel strong. The ball is coming out of my hand fast, but that is not my focus. My focus is having a good rehab."

Harrison, who has been dealing with severe back issues the past two years, is also throwing on flat ground, with the hope of being on a mound in three weeks. Unlike Perez, there is no target date for Harrison, because there is no history of players returning from his type of back problems. He underwent spinal fusion surgery on June 3.

For Harrison, it really is a one-step-at-a-time process.

"Everything is going good," Harrison said. "I can't complain. I feel good throwing."

Other news and notes

• The Rangers have signed second baseman Rougned Odor's 17-year-old brother to a professional contract out of Venezuela. The brother's name? Rougned Odor.

"We have different middle names," Odor the Elder said.

Odor said he did not persuade his brother to sign with the Rangers.

"I just wanted him to get a chance to play, I didn't care what team," Odor said. "But Texas signed him."

Odor the Elder is the Rangers' starting second baseman. Odor the Younger is a shortstop. Older brother says younger is better, but that opinion is not backed up by the scouting reports.

• Pitcher Yovani Gallardo is due in camp Friday. He is the only pitcher on the 40-man roster who is not in camp yet.

• All six catchers are in camp as well: Robinson Chirinos, Carlos Corporan, Tomas Telis, Jorge Alfaro, Pat Cantwell and Chris Gimenez. Also, Kellin Deglan, who played winter ball in Australia, is in camp working on the Minor League side.

• The Rangers are hoping to add another left-handed reliever, and Phil Coke is still a possibility.

• Shin-Soo Choo said the Rangers haven't told him officially that he is moving to right field. He said he will play whatever position they want him to play.