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Lewis has another setback in rehab program

ARLINGTON -- Picher Colby Lewis had another setback on his road back with the Rangers and has been recalled from his medical rehabilitation assignment.

Lewis is dealing with muscular soreness in the back of his right elbow, and general manager Jon Daniels said it will be at least two weeks before Lewis will be able to pitch in a game.

Lewis really felt the problem in his Saturday start in Memphis for Triple-A Round Rock. He pitched four innings and allowed three runs on six hits. The elbow was fine once he loosened up, but the soreness returned after the game.

"It's just pressure," Lewis said. "It's not a sharp pain. It's just a dull achiness that comes on and gets worse the more I throw."

It's the second time Lewis has dealt with muscular soreness in the elbow. He was shut down for a week after his first start on May 9 because of biceps tendinitis. Lewis said the soreness has moved to the inside of his triceps this time. He has received a platelet rich plasma shot in the elbow to help deal with the inflammation and speed up the healing process.

Daniels said the soreness is not related to the surgically repaired flexor tendon in the same elbow.

"He shouldn't be down long, but these are kind of the similar ups and downs of getting started," Daniels said. "It's like he's in Spring Training mode now having some issues getting going. I think we all know Colby. If he can go, he'll go."

Lewis said he went six months without touching a baseball after surgery. During a typically offseason, Lewis said he'd take about six weeks off and play catch to prepare for Spring Training. Lewis said he's frustrated with the recovery process and doesn't want to sit around in the clubhouse.

"I've always wanted to go out there and do what I can to help us win," Lewis said. "I felt like I was on the way, especially coming out of Surprise and starting all my rehab starts. It's slowly gotten worse. We need to step back from it and give it a little rest and go from there."

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. Master Tesfatsion is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
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