I've moved this entry up from Thursday and updated it a little bit now that we know Tommy Hunter has a strained left oblique muscle and probably out two weeks.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- When spring training started, a handful of pitchers were hoping to earn a spot in the final seat in the rotation.

All of a sudden, there's another chair available.

Tommy Hunter's left oblique strain means he'll likely miss the start of the season because he'll need to build his arm strength up once he resumes baseball activities.

That means the chances of C.J. Wilson, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison or Brandon McCarthy getting a rotation spot just went up. The first three are lefties. And it seems realistic that two of them -- my money is on Harrison and Wilson -- could be in the rotation when the season starts.

"If he's going to be out, it means other guys can step up and grab a spot," club president Nolan Ryan said. "It's too early for me to predict what could happen. There's a lot of competition left."

Harrison did his part on Thursday, getting eight strikeouts in his four innings of work. He got the ball up in his final inning, allowing two runs. A leadoff walk came back to haunt him. But he had solid command and was pleased with his 2-seamer in to right-handed hitters and his cutter. Harrison has allowed two runs in nine Cactus League innings. He has a 2.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts and one walk.

"I'm doing everything I can," Harrison said. "Hopefully, when the spring is up, I'll have a spot in the rotation."

Wilson wants a spot too. Badly. And he's making a strong push. He was excellent in his last start and has given up four runs in nine innings with eight strikeouts and a walk. He'll get another shot on Monday, where he's likely to see more batters a second time during the start.

“If they are the best we have, I’m certainly not against the idea,” manager Ron Washington said Friday. “I think Harrison showed you last night how far he’s come since the last time he’s competed. I don’t think anybody can ignore what CJ has been doing.”

Holland, who pitched well in his last outing after a rough first one, said he's only worried about himself.

"I don't wish injury on anybody and I just want Tommy to be OK," Holland said. "The truth is I have to pitch well and earn a spot. Nothing is going to be handed to anyone."

McCarthy hopes to remind the Rangers that he's still a contender when he starts against the Indians at Surprise on Friday. He is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA with five strikeouts and two walks in five innings. He is scheduled to pitch four innings on Friday.