SURPRISE, Ariz. -- For years, A.J. Murray heard people say that he looked like Kenny Rogers. These days, the young left-hander doesn't even look like himself.

It's been a long time since the Rangers chose the Utah high school southpaw in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, and Murray's rapid first ascent on the Minor League ladder seems even longer ago. Now, after being knocked down a couple of rungs by injuries, Murray tries to pitch himself back into the team's plans.

Murray, who turns 25 on March 17, has missed two of the last three seasons -- first with surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder, then with another shoulder injury triggered by a faulty delivery.

But on Monday, during an outing against Colorado in Tucson, he was, again, evoking images of Rogers, so the road back is at least paved.

Texas pitching coach Mark Connor beamed at the mention of Murray's name the day after he had gone a perfect inning against the Rockies, striking out a pair.

"A.J. looked like a guy who has been in the big leagues for 20 years," Connor said. "He knew what to do out there. He impressed the heck out of everyone. He showed a great fastball. He looked like Kenny Rogers."

There it was again, the comparison to the veteran lefty who has served three hitches in Arlington.

"I used to hear that three, four years ago, when I was younger," Murray said, then offering his own explanation for the analogy. "I love to attack the zone, go right after guys. I don't try to nitpick out there; I'm trying to make them put the bat on the ball."

Murray flashed a bemused grin when reflecting on Monday's debut. Observers liked the results, but he was most impressed by the feel.

"I'm real happy with how the first one went," he said. "Felt great. No pain -- and I haven't been pain-free for a while, so it's real good."

Exactly when he could last throw without discomfort, perhaps even Murray doesn't know. The torn labrum, and associated rotator cuff damage, wasn't diagnosed until 2004, But his professional timeline at least suggests that the left arm was gradually growing weaker -- from 1.86 as a pro rookie in 2001, his ERA grew to 3.00 in 2002 then 3.68 in 2003.

Murray had entered the last lap of his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery when he again felt troublesome pain in the arm last July. Thorough exams diagnosed that his motion was placing undue pressure on his back, causing impingement on a nerve.

"I had to change the way I was throwing," Murray said. "It wasn't a matter of having to learn a new pitching style or anything -- I have the same arm slot, just throwing more upright to keep from bending over to the side. I had to learn to keep my front side closed.

"When I first started doing this, I didn't think I'd have any velocity. But that came back, and I still have control."

That includes command over his future. Murray isn't regarded as a camp candidate to crack the big-league staff, but both his destination and short-range fate hinge on what kind of impression he leaves.

"Chances are, he won't make our club, and I've told him that," Connor said. "We just want to make sure he doesn't go backward. We'll keep monitoring him. You might see him with the Rangers later this season."

C.J. Wilson has no doubts about that. The lefty reliever has been a frequent Minor League teammate of Murray, a recurring link that has fueled a friendship tight enough for the two pitchers to be locker-room neighbors.

Wilson was also with Double-A Frisco in 2003, when Murray was peaking with a 10-4 record.

"He had Major League command in 2003," Wilson said. "Great changeup, great breaking stuff, he has always had such a good feel for pitching. He was the epitome of the crafty lefty.

"Now, if he can get that feel back, he'll be fine. I think now he can compete in the Major Leagues, I really believe that."

Murray isn't thinking that far ahead. With blanks lines in the record book next to his name for 2004 and 2006, he is taking small steps.

"I'm just going out there trying to throw strikes," he said, "attack the zone the way I normally would, the way I used to. I'm not trying to do much more than that to impress people."

Try or not, he has made an impression. And not just of Kenny Rogers, either.