Rangers starter Yu Darvish suffered a right elbow injury in August last season. He was expected back by the end of the month, but as the Rangers, who finished 67-95, weren’t headed anywhere, Darvish took it slow and eventually was shut down for the remainder of the season.
Darvish’s toughness and commitment to the team were questioned, as a writer last year suggested the right-hander should have pitched through the elbow pain. He finally had a chance to respond to his critics in a press conference on Sunday. As Pat Doney of NBC DFW reported, it was Darvish’s first press conference speaking English. Asked if he hit on the Rangers last season, the ace replied, “That is bull [expletive].”
Darvish, 28, recently threw a bullpen without any problems. He’s expected to be ready to go on Opening Day for the Rangers. Darvish finished last season with a 3.06 ERA and a 182/49 K/BB ratio in 144 1/3 innings.
