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Rangers optimistic after Harrison has MRI

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers are cautiously optimistic pitcher Matt Harrison is going to get through his latest back issue without any major problems.

Harrison had an MRI on Thursday and the results showed nothing serious. Harrison, who reported feeling better on Friday, is still going back to Dallas to be examined by back specialist Dr. Drew Dossett early next week. Dossett performed the two surgeries on Harrison last year for a herniated disk and wants to make sure everything is still good.

"I feel better today," Harrison said. "I slept on the floor last night. I really don't know because I had never felt that before on my right side. I thought it was kind of weird because I don't remember doing any one thing that could have caused it.

"From what they saw [on the MRI] it was nothing there. He still wants to check me out. He tried to figure out what might have caused it, and it may have been just as simple as something may have moved or shifted a little bit and nicked that nerve because it's so close together in there. I feel a lot better today about everything and hopefully I'll be even better tomorrow and move past this and it will be a nonissue."

Harrison was an 18-game winner for the Rangers in 2012 but made just two starts last season before going on the disabled list with a herniated disk in his lower back. He needed two operations to correct the problem and did not pitch the rest of the season.

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