The Rangers view the 22-year-old Holland as a future starter, but the current need is in the bullpen, where Texas relievers posted an AL-worst 8.63 ERA in the first 10 games.

?We felt Derek was the best option for our pen, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. ?We talked in spring training about breaking camp in this role. We feel hes a strike-thrower who has the makeup to handle [big-league pressure].

Sounds like his path to starting will be similar to Joba Chamberlains. Holland struck out nearly 10 per 9 innings in the minors, and walked about 1/4 of that.

Newstex ID: BASE-0001-34236578