Yu Darvish threw to live hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery as the Texas Rangers hurler is getting closer to his return.
Texas Rangers starter Yu Darvish threw batting practice for the first time since having Tommy John surgery last Wednesday, officially marking the first time he has thrown to live hitters since his surgery in March 2015.
After his normal pregame warmup of around 45 pitches, he took the mound to face two minor leaguers, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Joe Jackson, in two simulated “innings” of 15 pitches each. To make the atmosphere of the empty Globe Life Park feel like more of a game scenario, he offered $1,000 to the player who could hit a homerun off of him. Neither of them were able to collect the money though, as Darvish said in his own words, “I didn’t give them a strike.”
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Darvish’s last regular season game was August of 2014, before he had to sit out rest of the year with an inflammation of his right elbow. Then, while playing in the Cactus League during spring training of 2015, he says he experienced tightness in his elbow and Tommy John surgery was required. Darvish had a great first three years in the MLB, making the All-Star team all three years and finishing 2nd in the Cy Young voting in 2013.
When he comes back, assuming his velocity and accuracy are the same as before the surgery (he was clocked at 92-94 during a spring bullpen session with good control) he will arguably fit into the rotation from Day 1. He will join a team that is starving for a good #2 pitcher more than perhaps any team in the league, as the Rangers made it to the ALDS on the back of ace Cole Hamels, whom they acquired at the trade deadline partially as a replacement for the loss of Darvish. Together, they will form one of the best 1-2 pitcher duos in the league and will be fearsome for any lineup they come across, especially when you have to face them in back to back games.
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Between now and next Thursday, Darvish will complete his last two batting practice sessions of 45 and 60 pitches respectively and then be on to the minor leagues where he will start by throwing three innings on April 25 and work from there.
If all goes as planned, the Rangers will have him ready to play as soon as May 11th at home against the White Sox, with the fallback dates being May 16 at Oakland and May 21st at Houston.