Texas Rangers Roundup: Yu Darvish Not Concerned With Early Exit

The exhibition games have started, and not much has changed since 2014. Two games in, the Rangers have two losses–both at the hands of the AL champion Kansas City Royals. Derek Holland and others have already been pushed back slightly, and Jurickson Profar will likely miss the entire season.

The biggest news from Texas Rangers camp on Thursday was Yu Darvish coming out of his start early with tightness in his right triceps. Darvish said of his early exit, “I don’t really think it’s anything to worry about,” Darvish said through a translator. “I commanded my pitches. I didn’t throw hard. I worked on my location.” according to ESPN Dallas. Darvish pitched one inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Leonys Martin has speed, plays solid defense and could be a catalyst for the Texas Rangers offense in 2015. That’s why, as Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports, Martin will get the first crack at the leadoff spot. Martin has totaled 67 stolen bases over the past two seasons, and with Shin-Soo Choo potentially in the two-hole, the duo could set the table very nicely for this powerful Rangers lineup.

Ted Berg of USA Today Sports was not a big fan of the rumors earlier this week that Jurickson Profar could be traded to the New York Mets for Dillon Gee. Berg says, “Giving up a guy with Profar’s potential to add two years’ worth of Gee, with the Rangers coming off a 67-win season and facing a division with three potential contenders, just doesn’t seem like it’d be GM Jon Daniels’ best move unless he feels certain Profar’s arm is forever ruined.” That’s a great point, and if a trade does happen involving Profar in the near future, the assumption will be that Daniels made the trade because he wanted to get something for Profar before injuries forced him from the game for good.

Sports Illustrated posted a video on the “Extra Mustard” section featuring Derek Holland, who is known for his impersonations, that is quite enjoyable. In this video, he does a solid Tim Kurkjian and is surprised than none other than Kurkjian himself.

If you missed anything from the Nolan Writin’ team recently, here are some good reads:

Delino DeShields: Prospect Profile – Jason Burke

Prospects Spotlight: A.L. West – Ace Feltman

What to Expect From Choo in 2015 – Ryan Anness

More from Nolan Writin'

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