Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish continues to recover from Tommy John surgery after missing the 2015 season.
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Darvish Outlines Throwing Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 9
Darvish told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News that he plans on throwing his first bullpen session in March as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
He told Grant that he’s throwing flat ground pitches twice a week and is doing a long toss four times a week. He said he feels capable of throwing 95 mph right now, though he won’t attempt to do so. He also added that going through the rehabilitation process has made him appreciate the game more.
General manager Jon Daniels told MLB Network Radio (h/t MLB Network’s Jon Morosi) in December that Darvish is expected to return to the team’s rotation in May.
Darvish, 29, last pitched in 2014, going 10-7 in 22 starts with a 3.06 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 182 strikeouts in 144.1 innings pitched.
Over his first three seasons in baseball, Darvish established himself as one of the game’s top starters. He was a strikeout machine in 2013, whiffing 277 batters.
His return will give the Rangers a very solid rotation that also includes Cole Hamels, Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Colby Lewis. And it will further bolster a team that was already talented enough to win the AL West last season without him in the rotation.
If Darvish is able to remain healthy for the 2016 season, the Rangers will have one of the best one-two punches atop their rotation (Darvish and Hamels) in the American League and will be favorites to return to the postseason.
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