"I have to prove myself all over again," Harrison said. "It's an honor to be mentioned as a possible starter, but I can't look at it that way. I have to work my tail off to earn that spot."

Harrison certainly pitched like a regular member of the rotation his rookie season.

After pitching well in Double-A and Triple-A, Harrison was called up last July because of injuries to the Rangers staff. He never went back down, compiling a 9-3 record.

Harrison's nine victories were the most ever by a Rangers rookie left-hander. Only three American League pitchers had more victories than Harrison after his debut.

"You could see the kid had some presence, and you could see he had a feel for pitching," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Now that he's been through what he's been through, we expect this guy to get a lot better."

Harrison, who figures to be the No. 3 or 4 starter when camp breaks, expects that too.

DMN