Report: Rangers shut down Matt Harrison, release Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez signed with the Rangers after a stint in the Taiwan League. (AFP/Getty Images) The Rangers have shut down starting pitcher Matt Harrison for the

Manny Ramirez signed with the Rangers after a stint in the Taiwan League. (AFP/Getty Images)

The Rangers have shut down starting pitcher Matt Harrison for the year and ended Manny Ramirez's latest bid to return to the majors, according to FOX Sports Anthony Andro via Twitter.

The Rangers don't want to risk long-term damage to their Opening Day starter after he experienced numbness in his left hand Friday following his third rehab start at Triple-A Round Rock.

Harrison was coming off his second surgery to repair a disc causing inflammation in his back. He made two starts for the Rangers in April before going to the disabled list.

The Rangers have managed to contend for the AL West title despite losing two starting pitchers -- Harrison and Colby Lewis -- to season-ending injuries.

JAFFE: American League playoff chase still has plenty of drama

The Rangers signed Ramirez, 41,  to a minor-league contract in early July and evaluated his performance against Triple A pitching.  A scout told Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News that Ramirez was showing his age:

A scout with an American League East team recently saw Ramirez and said he has “a slow bat” and could not help a contender.

https://twitter.com/aandro/status/367375878621114369