Rangers encouraged by Harrison, Lewis

ARLINGTON -- Matt Harrison made just two starts for the Rangers last season and Colby Lewis hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2012. They have had five surgeries between them over the past two years.

But the Rangers are cautiously optimistic both will be at full strength at the start of Spring Training. Harrison appears fully recovered after having surgery twice last season for a herniated disk in his lower back. He also had a third surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in his right shoulder.

He threw off the mound on Monday without any problems and will do so again on Wednesday during the Rangers' pitching minicamp at the Ballpark in Arlington. He is throwing at about 80 percent, but that's normal for mid-January.

"So far so good," Harrison said. "Every day is getting better. It's a matter of getting repetition and getting back in a game."

Lewis is not at the minicamp but is still in a throwing program. The Rangers signed him to a Minor League contract in the hope that he is fully recovered from two years of injuries that included surgery on the flexor tendon in his right elbow and another to address the chronic pain in his right hip.

Pitching coach Mike Maddux watched a video of Lewis throwing on Tuesday and said he could see a big difference after the hip surgery. Maddux said Lewis is getting better extension in his delivery.

"It looked like Colby went into a time machine and found a fountain of youth," Maddux said. "He'll be on a little different program. We'll have to listen to him and get with our medical team to meld him into our Spring Training program. We're in uncharted waters, but if anybody can find the shore, it's Colby."