Washington addresses team on first day of workouts.

As a new week starts and the 2014 season draws closer, big news came out of Rangers camp yesterday. They both were good news stories. First, Ron Washington’s contract was extended through 2015. Second, Matt Harrison was declared fit to start his throwing program, but he will not be ready for the start of the season.

Lets start by taking a look at the Ron Washington extension. These last few years Washington has received a lot of flak for how he has managed games and his team. He has received a lot of the blame for the 2012 collapse and for finishing short of the playoffs last year. People do tend to forget though that the players love playing for him and that he was the manager when they won back-to-back AL Pennants. He does have his weaknesses as a manager. I believe he bunts way too much. It is almost clockwork if they leadoff batter gets on base he will have Elvis Andrus bunt him over. He does have his strengths though, he knows how to relate to players and how to motivate them. He normally get the best out of his players and the players know that Washington will always have their backs. I also believe that even though they finished a game short of the playoffs last year, that it may have been one of his best managing jobs. He was able to help navigate his team through numerous pitching injuries and ineffective hitting from several players. Despite all that the Rangers still won 90 games and if not for a dominant pitching performance from David Price they might have made it to the playoffs. Washington deserves to have his contract extended and I credit the front office for deciding that as well. This takes away any distractions that might come up if the Rangers get off to a slow start or hit a rough patch during the season. There will be no question about Washington getting fired this season.

Matt Harrison also was in the news yesterday as he was cleared to begin a throwing program. The doctors examined his back and neck and it came out clear. Rangers coaches and management I am sure breathed a sigh of relief. The downside is that he will not be ready for the start of the season. They have not given an exact timetable of when he should be ready, but I am guessing at the worst by May 1st. Yesterday I posted about the fifth starter spot and with Harrison for sure not being ready for the start of the season I think this increases the chances for someone like Robbie Ross. Ross is someone they can option back to the minor leagues once Harrison is ready. Ross is also a guy who I am sure could go out there 3 or 4 times and give the Rangers quality performances. If they were to select Hanson they would have to guarantee his contract and he would be owed $2 million dollars. Then the question becomes what do you do with him once Harrison is healthy. I think this is good news for Harrison that he won’t be out longer, but also good news for Robbie Ross.

Finally, the Rangers had their first intrasquad scrimmage yesterday. It was a 7 inning affair managed by Tim Bogar on one side and Steve Buchele on the other. Nothing real standout happened. Yu Darvish did pitch an inning. It was a 13 pitch inning with one strikeout. Tommy Hanson followed that up with a scoreless inning as well, with 2 strikeouts. His fastball was in the 90 mph range and he did show off his changeup, slider, and threw a couple of curveballs. It was a good sign for Hanson as he starts his campaign to win a spot in the rotation. Today will see the Rangers have another intrasquad scrimmage and then the actual games start on Thursday.

Daily Countdown: 35 days till Opening Day