Matt Harrison facing back surgery, out until after All-Star break

The Rangers will be without Matt Harrison, a key member of their rotation, for much longer than initially anticipated.

Matt Harrison won't be doing this for quite a while. (USATSI)

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Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison has been on the disabled list since April 7 with a lower-back strain, but on Friday his diagnosis and timetable got much worse. Here's Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News:

Matt Harrison has herniated disc, surgery next week, out until after all star break

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 19, 2013

Needless to say, this is quite a blow to a team that's already without starters Neftali Feliz, Colby Lewis and Martin Perez.

The 27-year-old Harrison has made just two starts in 2013, but he's coming off a season in which he posted a 3.29 ERA across 213 1/3 innings and finished eighth in the AL Cy Young balloting. For his career, Harrison has pitched to a 108 ERA+, 1.39 WHIP and 1.82 K/BB ratio. Harrison is in the first season of a five-year, $55 million contract that includes a vesting option for 2018.

Harrison's extended absence likely means Justin Grimm will remain in the Texas rotation until further notice.