Matt Harrison (back, neck) returned to action by hurling one scoreless inning against the Royals on Tuesday.

He experienced no issues and needed only 11 pitches to escape, despite allowing a single. The southpaw was shut down early in camp due to neck and back stiffness. Harrison is likely to begin the season on the disabled list, but he should be ready to join the Rangers' rotation at some point in April.

Matt Harrison (back, neck) will pitch one inning on a B-game on Tuesday.

It's an important step for Harrison, who was shut down early on in camp due to neck and back stiffness. The southpaw remains likely to begin the season on the disabled list, but he could be ready to join the Rangers' rotation at some point in April if all goes well.

Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News reports that Matt Harrison (back/neck) is likely to open the season on the disabled list.

Harrison hasn't ruled out Opening Day himself, but the Rangers appear ready to proceed more cautiously. "We're slow-pacing him," manager Ron Washington said. The left-hander said he was "very encouraged" with a live batting practice session Friday, which was the first time he threw to hitters since being shut down in mid-February with back and neck tightness. He'll throw a bullpen session Sunday before appearing in a "B" game Tuesday.

Matt Harrison (back) will throw a live batting practice session Friday.

Harrison had no issues during a 38-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, which was his first since being shut down with back an neck stiffness. The left-hander will be ready to appear in a "B" game shortly after Friday's live BP session. Harrison remains hopeful of being ready by Opening Day.

Matt Harrison (back) will throw off a half-mound on Monday.

Harrison long-tossed from up to 250 feet Saturday with no issues. "I feel good," Harrison said. "I just have to keep going. I feel like my arm is strong." There's no timetable for Harrison pitching in a Cactus League game, but he's moving in the right direction.

Matt Harrison (back) played catch from 120 feet Thursday on a back field in Rangers camp.

Harrison was cleared to resume his spring throwing program Monday after an MRI on his back came up clean. The Rangers will take it slowly with the 28-year-old lefty, who needed multiple back surgeries in 2013. He seems doubtful to pitch the first week of the regular season.

Matt Harrison is expected to resume his throwing program Thursday after an MRI on his lower back came back clean.

Harrison received a nerve-block injection in the right side of his neck to deal with the stiffness. There was real reason for concern given that he required multiple back surgeries last year, so this is good news under the circumstances. Still, he's not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Matt Harrison reported improvement with his back Friday.

He also noted that he's not feeling any numbness, which was a symptom he felt last season when his back needed a pair of surgeries. However, the Rangers won't make any conclusions about Harrison's status until he receive an MRI on Monday. The 28-year-old left-hander was limited to two starts in 2013 due to back issues.

Matt Harrison is getting an MRI on his back.

Harrison is being bothered by stiffness in the same area that required two surgeries last season. The 28-year-old left-hander will hope that it's just routine inflammation. He was limited to two starts in 2013.

Matt Harrison (neck) will see team physician Dr. Keith Meister on Thursday.

Harrison was scratched from throwing live batting practice on Tuesday due to a stiff neck, but the expectation is that he'll be cleared to resume full activities after Thursday. The 28-year-old had a pair of back procedures last year, so the Rangers don't want to take any chances.

Matt Harrison will not throw Tuesday due to a stiff neck.

Harrison wanted to throw anyway, so it doesn't sound like a major concern, but the Rangers didn't want to take any chances. The 28-year-old was limited to just two starts last season due to a herniated disc in his back.

Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux said Tuesday that Matt Harrison has lost about 30 pounds.

Harrison lost the weight in order to decrease the strain in his back coming off surgery to repair a herniated disk. The 28-year-old threw a bullpen session Monday (though not at full intensity) and felt fine, so all signs point to him being healthy for the start of 2014.

Matt Harrison (back, shoulder) threw a bullpen session Monday and said he felt fine.

Harrison made just two starts in 2013 before undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. He also required an operation last September to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome in his right (non-throwing) shoulder. However, the Rangers expect him to be ready for the start of the 2014 season. While the 28-year-old southpaw posted a 3.34 ERA from 2011-2012, he'll be a wait-and-see option in most mixed fantasy leagues.

Matt Harrison (back, shoulder) hopes to start throwing off a mound next week.

"I think he's a big key for us," Rangers GM Jon Daniels said during a recent radio spot. "The year before he was a 220-inning workhouse. He was huge for the team. When you look at the profile in our ballpark of a left-hander who keeps the ball on the ground, really utilizes the strength of our team with Elvis [Andrus] and [Adrian] Beltre on the left side, you knew every fifth day that he was going to go out there and compete and keep us in the game and more often than not win it." Harrison made just two starts in 2013 before going under the knife to repair a herniated disc in his back. He expects to be ready for spring training.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels has big expectations for Matt Harrison (back, shoulder) in 2014.

Harrison made just two starts in 2013 before going under the knife to repair a herniated disc in his back. "I think he's a big key for us," Daniels said during a radio appearance. "The year before was a 220-inning workhouse. He was huge for the team. When you look at the profile in our ballpark of a left-hander who keeps the ball on the ground, really utilizes the strength of our team with Elvis [Andrus] and [Adrian] Beltre on the left side, you knew every fifth day that he was going to go out there and compete and keep us in the game and more often than not win it. ... Kevin Harmon, our trainer, went out and visited him in Carolina earlier this winter, and we've been getting reports back since, and knock on wood, so far, so good." Harrison expects to be ready for spring training.

Matt Harrison (back, shoulder) will begin a throwing program on December 1.

Harrison is coming back from dual back surgeries, as well as an operation on his non-throwing shoulder, but he's coming along nicely and expects to be ready for spring training. "I feel good about starting the season as one of those five guys (in the rotation)," Harrison said.

Rangers activated LHP Matt Harrison from the 60-day disabled list.

Harrison made just two starts in 2013 before going under the knife to repair a herniated disc in his back. The southpaw underwent a different operation -- to alleviate the thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder -- in September. That procedure was on Harrison's non-throwing shoulder, so he's expected to be 100-percent healthy heading into spring training in February.

Matt Harrison will undergo surgery on Monday to alleviate the thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder.

The operation in on Harrison's non-throwing shoulder, so it shouldn't effect his ability to be ready for the start of spring training next season. Harrison made just two starts in 2013 before going under the knife to repair a herniated disc in his back.

Matt Harrison has been shut down for the year.

Concerns remain about the strength of Matt Harrison's surgically-repaired back and the Rangers don't want to risk long-term damage. Harrison will get some early rest and then aim for 100 percent health heading into spring training next February. He made two starts this year.

Matt Harrison was removed from Friday's minor league rehab start with Double-A Frisco due to numbness in his left hand.

Harrison will be examined by team orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister before determining a course of action. He had been expected to return to the Rangers rotation at the end of August, though that could now be in jeopardy. The team should have an update on his status Saturday.