Harrison has stiff back, likely will miss a start

There will be no "thoughts" post tonight.  My thoughts on tonight's game are that it was a lousy game, and that I was hoping Matt Harrison's back issue that resulted in him leaving in the second inning wasn't serious.

I joked to Ben as we were walking to Minute Maid Park that I figured they were leaving the roof open because it was a cool, windy night, and they were looking for an advantage with the Rangers' starter coming off back surgery.  Little did I know that Harrison's back really would be an issue tonight.

The beat writers are saying that Harrison will see Dr. Drew Dossett, the surgeon who did his previous surgery and who treated him when he had back stiffness this spring, tomorrow, and they are expecting Harrison will miss at least one start.  This is just one more blow to a team that has Martin Perez missing at least one start -- and maybe more -- and still doesn't have Derek Holland back from the disabled list.  Oh, and Opening Day starter Tanner Scheppers is still on the d.l.

We're in wait and see mode with Harrison, though T.R. Sullivan suggests Harrison could be out an "extended period of time."  If Harrison's issue is minor, then its not really a big deal, though it means having to make another short-term patch in the rotation.

The worst case scenario, though, is Harrison and Perez both having to miss significant time.  If that's the case, with the other injuries the team is dealing with, and with the Rangers hovering at .500 (with a negative run differential on the season), it would be reasonable to question whether this team can legitimately contend in 2014.