Rangers to gauge timetable for Lewis after start

OAKLAND -- Colby Lewis is scheduled to pitch for Double-A Frisco on Saturday. It will be his fourth start on his latest medical rehabilitation assignment, and he is scheduled to throw 90 pitches.

The Rangers will decide after that outing whether Lewis needs more time in the Minor Leagues or if he will make at least one more start after that. Lewis, who is one year removed from having surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon, will most likely get at least one more start after this, but his 30-day assignment is up Aug. 17.

"We definitely need to huddle after he pitches and see what the next step is," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "Our 12-man staff and our five-man rotation are pitching really well. If you add a pitcher to the mix, you want it to be an upgrade."

Lewis has made 80 starts for the Rangers over the past three years but has not pitched as a reliever since he was with the Athletics in 2007. The Rangers starter with the most bullpen experience is Alexi Ogando, who has started 43 games and made 102 relief appearances over the past four years.

Matt Harrison, who had surgery May 2 to repair a herniated disc, is scheduled to make his second rehab start Sunday for Frisco. He is scheduled to throw approximately 45 pitches. Nick Tepesch, on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow, is on the trip with the Rangers, but he is limited to long toss and is not ready to pitch off a mound.