Matt Harrison may miss Opening Day because of soft mattress

Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison burst onto the scene as a starter three years ago, compiling a 3.34 ERA and winning 32 games between the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Last year, Harrison made just two starts before needing two surgeries to repair a herniated disk in his back. He’s now in danger of not being ready for Opening Day because of a setback caused by a mattress.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Harrison was scheduled to see a spine specialist on Monday because of a recent setback with his back. He was experiencing some back stiffness that he believes was caused by a soft mattress in his rental home.

“In my opinion, no, I don’t think [the opening day rotation] is going to happen,” Harrison said over the weekend. “Hopefully, before middle April I’ll be ready. But this little setback has put them on high alert. I hate it, but I understand it. I had two starts last April and none after that; I’d rather have less starts in April and 30 after that.”

Harrison said he has switched beds in the house and the pain has subsided, so maybe it really was all about the mattress. Still, the Rangers are going to be understandably cautious with their 28-year-old lefthander after what happened last year.

As Tiger Woods could tell you, there’s no mattress like the one at your own home. It’s unfortunate Harrison had to learn that the hard way.

H/T Big League Stew