ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers starter Kevin Millwood needed the extended rest after throwing an American League-high 130 innings before the All-Star break.

The Texas ace says everything has been "kind of achy lately," so eight days between starts is nice.

Millwood is already more than 70 percent to the 180 innings he needs to guarantee a $12 million contract next year. The 34-year-old right-hander has never thrown more by this point in a season.

The Rangers skipped Millwood's rotation spot in this weekend's series vs. Minnesota. He makes his first post-break start Monday night against Boston and John Smoltz, who he used to be with in the Atlanta Braves rotation.

Millwood is 8-7 with a 3.46 ERA in 19 starts.