Yu Darvish cleared to start offseason program

Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish is finally cleared to start his offseason pitching program.  Darvish arrived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area last week and was scheduled to have an MRI, but it was pushed back to this week.  There wasn’t any concerns prior to Darvish getting the MRI and everyone expected the results clear him to start his offseason pitching program.

The Texas Rangers placed him on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation back on August 13 and moved him to the 60-day disabled list on September 6.   Prior to him landing on the disabled list his last appearance in 2014 was against the Astros in Houston.  He has normally dominated them in every appearance.  He’s been close to a perfect game, until Marwin Gonzalez ruined the day in the ninth inning with 2 outs.  Also, he’s been close to a no-hitter.  But, on August 9th it was easy to tell he wasn’t the same and didn’t have his regular mechanics.  He only lasted 4.0 innings against the Astros and gave up 9 hits and 6 runs (5 earned).  He did manged to strike out 7, but he allowed 4 walks that day.  His control wasn’t there and neither was the velocity.  

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When Darvish was placed on the 15-day disabled list it didn’t seem like his injury was too severe.  His MRI back in August did indicate inflammation in his right elbow.  Jon Daniels commented about his injury and his likely return back in August.

"“At that point, I think the calendar works against you,” Daniels said. “I don’t think we’d send him out there cold and just have him make a major league start. If he just picks up a ball with two weeks left, I don’t know that the calendar allows it.“We’re all kind of the same mindset, the doctors and MRI clearly indicate there was an issue, ” Daniels added. “Secondly, the obvious, just where we are in the standings. If we were fighting for a playoff spot, I think he and we might view it a bit differently.” (Evan Grant – Dallas News)"

Right now everything points to Yu Darvish is healthy and is ready to do all the work necessary to be ready by Spring Training.  When Darvish is pitching at 100% he’s almost unhittable and that’s what the Rangers will need all of next season.  Over the last few season Darvish has missed a few starts here and there due to a few issues with his neck, back and now arm, but he seems to bounce back pretty quick and should be reliable for the foreseeable future.  If the Rangers are going to make the playoffs next season, they’ll need Yu Darvish be just that, reliable.