HOUSTON -- On Thursday night, Rangers left-hander starter Derek Holland made his sixth and final rehab start at Triple-A Round Rock.

Holland pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs -- three earned -- against Nashville. Holland, who threw 98 pitches, gave up two, two-out home runs in his outing.

Holland missed his last outing with back spasms, which he said didn't pose a problem for him Thursday night. He's missed the entire season while recovering from left knee surgery.

The knee hasn't been a problem for Holland, who has been moving well toward first base when he needs to field his position, and now he's ready to pitch with the big club.

"I felt good," Holland said. "I think the big thing was to just test my back and make sure everything was OK with that from there. I felt good and continue to pound the zone and just getting myself ready, that's the main thing. Just to get back to make sure I'm ready to go."

When Holland will pitch for the Rangers hasn't been determined. He will be with the Rangers on Friday when they continue their 10-game road trip through Houston and he could be on the mound when the club visits Kansas City for three games early next week.

There is no rush at this stage for Holland to pitch, other than to prove to the front office that he's healthy after major knee surgery. It's just one more thing GM Jon Daniels can cross off his list of things to worry about heading into the offseason.

"This is what I've been working for," Holland said of returning. "I wanted to show people I can get back up there and I'm ready to go and I've been working my butt off to get back there, whether the season has been good or not, my main focus is just being a part of the team."