Holland’s future murky after loss to Astros

HOUSTON — Rangers left-hander Derek Holland was released from his temporary assignment in the bullpen so he could start against the Astros on Wednesday night.

The result wasn’t what he was hoping for in an 8-4 loss, and now he’ll wait to see if and when he’ll start again. Just like Wednesday’s pitching performance, the answer may not be what he is hoping for.

In his fifth start since returning from the disabled list, Holland allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings. He gave up seven hits — including two home runs — walked one and struck out four before leaving after 87 pitches.

“Obviously, I didn’t pitch very well,” Holland said. “I’ve got to do better. It’s frustrating. There is not much more that I can say. It stinks.”

Holland was in the bullpen as a long reliever for the first two games of the series and was only informed after Tuesday’s game that he would be starting on Wednesday.

“I’m not going to use that as an excuse,” he said. “I didn’t perform …

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