Harrison (back) will pitch in an extended spring training game Wednesday, after throwing 45 pitches of live batting practice Thursday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Rangers are being cautious with Harrison, who could start a rehab assignment by the end of May. He's seemingly on track to join the big-league rotation in early-to-mid June, although it isn't clear which starter he'll replace. Ross Detwiler is the leading candidate thus far, but he still has some time to make up ground on Wandy Rodriguez, and it's quite possible one of the Rangers' current rotation members will be injured by the time Harrison's ready.

Harrison (back) could make his first start in extended spring training May 13, FOX Sports Southwest's Anthony Andro reports.

He will throw live batting practice again Thursday prior to the rehab start. He could be nearing a rehab assignment with a a minor league affiliate and then could make it back to the Rangers' rotation in four or five weeks.

Harrison (back) has passed his bullpen test and will throw live batting practice Monday in Surprise, AZ, Fox Sports Southwest's Anthony Andro reports.

While this is good news for Harrison and the Rangers, it still seems like a long shot that he ever returns to a prominent role in the major leagues, considering how drastic his back procedure was. Continue to monitor his status, as the Rangers owe him more than $35 million over the next three years and would certainly be able to find room for him in the rotation if he can prove capable of handling a starter's workload.

Harrison (back) is expected to throw his first bullpen session Wednesday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Harrison, aiming for a June return, is scheduled to throw a batting practice session early next week as well.

Harrison was placed on the 60-day DL Thursday.

This move was made to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Alex Hassan, whom the Rangers claimed off waivers. Harrison remains out indefinitely as he attempts to make it back from spinal fusion surgery.

Harrison (back) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, John Blake of the Rangers' official website reports.

There's no guarantee Harrison makes it back to the majors, and he isn't expected to be ready any time soon. The Rangers may eventually even move him to the 60-day disabled list.

Harrison (back) graduated to throwing off a regular-sized mound Monday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Harrison hasn't pitched off a full mound since May 13 and seems to be slowly progressing for an eventual return to the field at a later date this season. His status should be updated as his tolerance level increases, but as for now he should still be considered out.

Harrison (back) will begin throwing off a half-mound Sunday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Harrison has been playing long toss recently, but has progressed to the point of tossing off a half-mound. He's not slated to return until mid-season at the latest, but it's worth noting that he seems to be rehabbing on schedule.

Harrison (back) has increased his throwing to 180-200 feet, but has not yet thrown off a mound, the Fort Worth Star Telegram's Stefan Stevenson reports.

Harrison is making a valiant attempt to prolong his career following spinal fusion surgery in his lower back last June. The fantasy upside here is almost non-existent, given Harrison's health situation, and he is at least a couple months away from pitching in meaningful games.

Harrison (back) has increased his throwing to 120 feet from flat ground but won't attempt to throw from the mound for at least a month, the team's web site reports.

Any sort of major setback could be career-ending for Harrison, so look for a cautious approach here as he attempts to return from spinal fusion surgery.

Harrison (back) will continue to throw from flat ground for another three weeks, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Harrison is attempting to come back from spinal fusion surgery, with a return in early June the best case scenario at this point.

Harrison (back) is still playing catch from 90 feet, FOX Sports Southwest reports.

The left-hander has been limited to a throwing distance of 90 feet for three weeks now. While Harrison insists that he hasn't had any sort of setback, a recent report suggested he's been slowed a bit by stiffness in his hip. Harrison said he's simply focused on improving his mechanics at 90 feet before changing up his routine.

Harrison (back) has progressed to throwing from 90 feet, but he's been slowed by stiffness in his hip, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. "I can't complain. I feel really good," he said. "It's more tedious stuff than I've ever done before. It's kind of boring doing everyday but it's what I've got to do so it's what I'm going to do."

Harrison will report to Surprise with the rest of the team's pitchers and catchers on February 16, but it's expected that he'll be sidelined until the second half of 2015 as he progresses through the final stages of his rehab following spinal fusion surgery on his lower back.

Harrison (back) threw from 75 feet but won't throw off of a mound until the middle of March, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Harrison underwent spinal fusion surgery in his back last June, but he appears on track for a 2015 return despite initial concerns that it could be a career-ending injury. At this point the hope is that he'll be fully healthy by mid-March, but there will still be a long way to go before making a return to the big leagues so an exact timetable for the 29-year-old is hard to figure as of now.

Harrison (back) was cleared Sunday to resume a throwing, Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest reports.

The lefty, who is attempting to return from career-threatening spinal fusion surgery, will hold off for two more weeks before beginning the program. Harrison said his spine is about 85 percent fused at the moment, but if he proceeds cautiously with his rehab, the hope is his back will be fully healthy by early March. It's hardly a guarantee that everything will go according to plan for Harrison, whose health risk is further compounded by the fact that he's already had two previous surgeries on his back. The Rangers would probably be fortunate to get a handful of useful starts out of the 29-year-old in the second half of the 2015 season.

Harrison (back) is expected to start throwing again in January, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Harrison needed spinal fusion surgery in his lower back in June, and it was thought to be a possible career-ending injury at the time. It appears he is on track to begin his recovery process in January, however, which could eventually lead to a return to the mound. It's unclear what his timetable is at this point, but he may be able to return at some point in the 2015 season.

Rangers transferred LHP Matt Harrison from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

It was a procedural move to open a 40-man roster spot for Brad Snyder. Harrison underwent spinal fusion surgery last week and might never pitch in the majors again.

Matt Harrison underwent spinal fusion surgery on Tuesday.

The Rangers haven't offered additional details other than the fact that Harrison will spend two days in the hospital. However, it's been reported previously that the operation could threaten the left-hander's career, so obviously his 2014 campaign is over. Harrison has been limited to just six starts over the last two seasons due to back issues.

Rangers placed LHP Matt Harrison on the 15-day disabled list with lower back inflammation.

Of course, the injury is much more serious than that. Harrison is looking at the possibility of needing spinal fusion surgery, which could threaten his career. More will likely be known about his outlook in the coming days.

Matt Harrison (back) has a displacement of a vertebra in his back and could be faced with spinal fusion surgery.

Harrison also has significant nerve irritation in the back. As an alternative to surgery, Harrison could also opt to live with the condition for the rest of his playing career, a more painful option but one that wouldn't put his career in jeopardy. Surgery would almost certainly threaten to end his pitching career.