by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish squared off against Justin Verlander in one of the most highly anticipated pitching matchups of the season Thursday, but neither pitcher brought his best stuff. Darvish, however, picked up the win to move to 7-1 by allowing four earned runs in eight innings, striking out six batters and walking one.
Despite having the game in hand late, the Rangers allowed Darvish to throw 130 pitches, the second highest pitch count of any AL pitcher this season and the second time in three starts Darvish has thrown at least 127 pitches. He'll take a 2.97 ERA into a start at home against the A's Tuesday.
Yu Darvish gets past Astros again
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish was able to beat the Astros for the second time this year Saturday night. Darvish, who came within one out of throwing a perfect game the last time he faced Houston, allowed three runs on three hits over seven innings in an 8-7 win.
The right-hander retired the first seven batters he faced before Matt Dominguez belted a solo home run in the third. Dominguez also touched up Darvish for a two-run shot in the sixth, which was all the offense Houston could muster against the Texas starter.
Darvish, who is 3-0 with 33 Ks in three career starts against the Astros, was pulled after throwing 105 pitches and finished with eight strikeouts and three walks. With 301 career strikeouts, he joined Dwight Gooden (319) as the only pitchers in major league history to reach at least 300 in their first 37 major league starts.
Darvish (5-1) is slated to face the Tigers at home next Thursday. He is 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three career starts against Detroit.
Yu Darvish not concerned with pitch counts
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/10/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish's rise to leading the majors in strikeouts has not come without a price. That expense has been a high pitch count as the righty is averaging 107.1 pitches per game through seven starts -- the fifth-highest total in the league -- according to MLB.com.
But Darvish, who has 72 Ks over 45 2/3 innings for an average of 14.1 K/9, said he is not concerned about his high counts and he could throw up to 200 pitches in a game if needed. He has exceeded 110 pitches three times this year with a high of 127.
"I have no plans to change my pitching style; I'm not concerned about my pitch counts," Darvish said Thursday. "I don't look for strikeouts or go for strikeouts. I know my pitching coaches are concerned about my pitch counts because of all the strikeouts. But as long as I have four days to rest, I don't care how many pitches I throw."
Manager sets Yu Darvish's pitch-count limit at 130
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) Rangers starter Yu Darvish threw a career-high 127 pitches Sunday against Boston and finished seven innings with 14 strikeouts. After each inning, he'd go up to manager Ron Washington and tell him that he feels good, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Washington said Darvish wouldn't get past Pedro Ciriaco and the right-hander struck him out to end the seventh. On Monday, Washington was asked what Darvish's pitch limit is.
"I really feel that 130 is it," Washington said. "Throughout the game he was telling me he was as strong as a bull."
Yu Darvish up to 72 strikeouts
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Rangers starter Yu Darvish continued to rack up the strikeouts in his outing against the Red Sox on Sunday. He allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings of work while striking out 14.
The right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to David Ortiz in the first before David Ross launched a solo shot off him the following frame. He would cruise after that and was done after throwing 127 pitches, 78 for strikes.
Darvish, who walked two, left with the game tied at 3-3 and did not factor into the decision. He has 72 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings pitched on the year.
His next start is scheduled for Saturday against the Astros. When Darvish faced Houston on April 2, he took a perfect game into the ninth inning and struck out 14 in the win.
Yu Darvish overcomes struggles for win
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Rangers ace Yu Darvish set season highs for runs and hits allowed but managed to earn a victory Tuesday night at home against the White Sox.
Darvish (5-1) gave up four earned runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings, but the Texas offense scored six runs in the sixth inning. Darvish struck out nine over 108 pitches and has 58 Ks in 38 2/3 innings to lead the majors.
His next start is Sunday against Boston.
Yu Darvish strikes out 11 in six scoreless innings
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish had all his pitches working in Wednesday's win over the Angels, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings while walking two and striking out 11.
The impressive performance included fastballs of speeds up to 98 mph, 67-mph curveballs that froze batters for strike three, and swing-and-miss strikeouts on nasty sliders.
Darvish lowered his ERA to 1.65 while moving to 4-1. He'll get the White Sox at home on Tuesday.
Yu Darvish blows away Mariners
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish had his 10th career 10-strikeout game Friday against the Mariners. Darvish, who made his 33rd career start, struck out the side in the first two innings. He gave up three hits in seven innings.
"He threw more curveballs than he did in Seattle," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "He also threw more fastballs. He didn't have a really good fastball (in Seattle). Tonight, he threw a lot more for strikes. Yu has so many pitches and they're all good. It's hard to pick one."
His next start is Wednesday at Anaheim.
Yu Darvish deems finger 'perfect'
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish indicated that his right ring finger, which has suffered from blisters early this season, is "perfect," according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Darvish is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Mariners and seems to be past his early blister problems.
Yu Darvish avoids Wrigley visit
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish will be pushed back two days in order to avoid the cold temperatures of Wrigley Field. Instead, he'll make his next start Friday against the Mariners at the Ballpark in Arlington, MLB.com reports.
Darvish struck out eight in six innings of three-hit ball against the Mariners in his last start, as his finger held up without any issues. He is 2-3 with a 6.21 ERA in five career starts against Seattle.
Yu Darvish not bothered by finger
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish revealed to reporters after Friday's game that his wildness was a mechanical problem rather than an issue with his previously irritated finger.
"I know what the problem is, but I don’t want to say because I still have to make the adjustment," Darvish told the Dallas Morning News.
If Darvish truly avoided issues with his finger, he seems likely to make his next scheduled start.
Yu Darvish battles through ugly first inning
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Rangers starter Yu Darvish battled control issues early in Friday's game against the Mariners while surrendering three earned runs in the first inning, but he rebounded to retire the final 12 batters he faced, ending the game with a quality start. He didn't allow a hit after this first inning but did hit Jason Bay twice during the game while also walking a batter.
Darvish moved to 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA after the three-run, six-inning loss, and his eight strikeouts give him 27 Ks in 19 innings this season. He will be evaluated to determine the status of a bothersome finger on his pitching hand before the team decides whether he'll make his next scheduled start.
Yu Darvish still on track for Friday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish is still on track to start Friday against the Mariners after leaving his last start with a blister on his pitching hand.
"It's doing well," Darvish said through an interpreter, per MLB.com.
Manager Ron Washington isn't concerned about Darvish.
"I looked at [Darvish's] hand, and he was smiling," Washington said. "It's amazing how skin heals."
Yu Darvish won't miss a beat
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Rangers starter Yu Darvish is expected to be fine for his start Friday in Seattle, reports MLB.com. Darvish was removed from Sunday's outing after five innings with a blister on his pitching hand.
Rangers manager Ron Washington said the injury didn't affect him early in Sunday's game and shouldn't be an issue long term.
"We'll take care of it," Washington said before Monday night's series opener with Tampa Bay. "It came apart in the fifth. "He always wants to continue, but he doesn't have anything to prove to us, so we shut him down. He could have taken the ball and gone out there and probably got through the [sixth] inning, but maybe there would have been more damage."
Darvish is undefeated in April during his career. He's gone 6-0 with a 2.12 ERA. He's 2-0 this season with a 1.98 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.
Yu Darvish expected to be 'fine' for next outing
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish said after Sunday's win against the Angels that he expects to make make his next start.
The right-hander was forced from Sunday's outing after a blister issue crept up on him again. Darvish, who dealt with a similar issue in his season debut, left after five innings of work and picked up his second win in the 7-3 victory.
“As far as how it developed, I don’t really want to talk about it,” Darvish said, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “But we won the game, so it went well.”
Manager Ron Washington agreed that Darvish should be ready to pitch again Friday against the Astros.
“The skin came off so we just backed off him right there," Washington said. "All I can say is I think he’ll be fine for his next start.”
Blister forces Yu Darvish out after five innings
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Rangers starter Yu Darvish left his outing against the Angels on Sunday night after five innings due to the same blister problem he endured in his season debut.
The right-hander allowed three runs on six hits with four walks before the early exit. He was tagged with a two-spot in the first before giving up an RBI double to Mark Trumbo in the fifth for his final damage.
Darvish, who lost a perfect game bid with two outs in the ninth inning against the Astros on Tuesday, also struck out six while throwing 85 pitches, 50 for strikes.
He is expected to make his next start Friday against the Mariners.
Yu Darvish good to go
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/5/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish expects to make his next start despite a blister on his throwing hand.
Darvish said he's definitely ready to pitch Sunday, according to CBSSports.com's Scott Miller. The blister developed during Darvish's near-perfect game against the Astros.
Yu Darvish's debut a reality check
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/3/2013) One game shouldn't change your opinion of a player, but it may reinforce what you already believe. That's the case for me with the Rangers' Yu Darvish, who I had pegged as a breakout candidate and Cy Young contender provided he maintained his low walk rate from his final seven starts last year.
In his season debut Tuesday at the Astros, his control was perfect. He also issued just three walks in 13 2/3 innings in spring training.
So far, we have yet to catch even a glimpse of the control problems that plagued Darvish early last season, so I'm feeling a little more confident in my breakout claim. On Wednesday's podcast, host Adam Aizer asked if I'd be willing to trade Darvish for, say, CC Sabathia, and in my heart of hearts, I wouldn't.
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Rangers starter Yu Darvish developed a small blister on his right ring finger during his brilliant start Tuesday night but is expected to make his next start, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
The blister isn't expected to have any lasting impact. Any and all excitement left over from Darvish's 8 2/3-inning, 14-strikeout masterpiece Tuesday night should continue unless news of a setback surfaces.
Yu Darvish Ks 14 but loses perfect game late
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) Rangers starter Yu Darvish came within one out of throwing the 24th perfect game in the history of major-league baseball on Tuesday night against the Astros.
The right-hander struck out nine over the first four innings -- including striking out the side in the second and fourth -- and entered the ninth having yet to allow a baserunner. He was able to retire the first two batters quickly in the frame but Marwin Gonzalez hit a line-drive single back through the box, ending the perfect game bid.
Darvish was then pulled for Michael Kirkman, who secured a 7-0 win.
Darvish ended up striking out a career-high 14 batters while surrendering the lone hit over 8 2/3 innings. He also threw 111 pitches, 78 for strikes, while earning his first win of the season.
The last Texas pitcher to strike out at least 14 was Nolan Ryan on July 7, 1991 against the Angels.
Rangers picture Yu Darvish as Cy guy
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) With pitcher Yu Darvish's trial run in the majors complete, the Rangers have raised their expectations for the right-hander heading into his second season. Backed by glimpses of improved command during the second half of his rookie campaign, manager Ron Washington believes he should settle in among the elite pitchers in the majors.
"I expect him to be a very good pitcher in the American League. And if he does what we know what he's capable of doing -- and that's keep us in ballgames -- there's no reason why he can't win enough ballgames to be considered (for the Cy Young Award)," Washington told ESPN before Darvish's first start at Houston Tuesday. "There's no reason why he can't pitch well enough to be considered."
Yu Darvish stays dominant
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/29/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish took the mound for his for his final tune-up of the spring Thursday against los Diablos Rojos, of the Mexican Baseball League. Darvish turned in another stellar performance as he struck out seven in four scoreless innings in a 12-1 win. He gave up a leadoff single in the fourth inning for his only mistake of the night. Darvish did not issue a walk and only has three walks in 17 2/3 innings of work this spring.
Reds homer twice off Yu Darvish
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish surrendered two earned runs on three hits and a walk in five innings against the Reds Saturday. Both runs came on solo homers and raised his spring ERA to 1.98. He'll start the Rangers' second game of the year against the Astros.
Yu Darvish's neck feeling better
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish said Tuesday that the stiff neck that held him out of Monday's Cactus League start was feeling better. The right-hander is expected to throw a bullpen session on Thursday before being re-evaluated.
Darvish has allowed one run and struck out 10 over 8 2/3 innings his spring.
Manager Ron Washington told ESPN.com he expects Darvish to be ready for the start of the regular season.
"It's not a big issue. If he is fine today, then he'll do a bullpen," Washington said. "If that goes well, Mike (Maddux) will pencil him back in the game Thursday or Friday. We'll let him pitch a couple of innings in the minors, shut him down and get him ready for his next start. A lot of it is going to depend on today. The neck wasn't that big of an issue, it was just precautionary."
Fantasy analysts excited about Yu Darvish
by Joe Polito | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Though he only made the 3rd tier on Al Melchior's list, Yu Darvish was selected 54th overall in our Live H2H draft -- ahead of several of Al's 2nd tier SPs. Darvish is becoming a hotter commodity as the regular season approaches; hot enough for Scott White to consider him one of his 2013 Breakouts.
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013)Yu Darvish will miss his scheduled Monday start with a stiff neck, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Darvish said he would have pitched through the injury for a regular season game. As such, it seems unlikely the injury will have any long-term effect on Darvish or his fantasy value. Darvish has a 1.04 ERA over 8.2 innings in his first three spring training starts, including 10 strikeouts. Expect to see him on the hill for the Rangers on opening day.
Yu Darvish no longer lost in translation
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/15/2013) After being hailed as a superstar for several years in Japan, Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish had to acclimate himself to several different aspects of American life and baseball during his first MLB campaign. Now entering his second season with Texas, the hard-throwing righty has adjusted to the rigors of preparing for his outings and looks to build off his strong finish from last year in which he compiled a 3-0 record and 2.21 ERA over his last five starts. Darvish also piled up 39 strikeouts and just seven walks over 36 2/3 innings during that five-game stretch.
"(He's) understanding what’s expected of him, mainly understanding what’s expected of himself, rather than what other people are expecting of him," manager Ron Washington told ESPN.com on Friday. "He knows the routine that we go through now, he’s been through it one time and he’s come in and he has a different look in his eyes. He’s more relaxed, he’s just going about his business, going through the process of just trying to make certain that he’s ready when the opening bell rings."
Darvish surrenders first run of spring
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/11/2013) Texas starting pitcher Yu Darvish gave up a run on Monday during his Cactus League start against the Giants. While Madison Bumgarner made it four shutout frames as his opposition, Darvish surrendered a run over just 3 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits and did not walk a batter with five strikeouts for the Rangers. Darvish's spring ERA remains pristine at 1.04. He's allowed just the one run on five hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts over 10 spring innings to this point.
Darvish untouched on the spring
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/4/2013) Texas starting pitcher Yu Darvish had yet another positive spring outing on Monday against the Padres in Cactus League action. Darvish, making his second start of the spring, has yet to allow any hits or runs. Darvish was a little wild on Monday and said the ball was a little slippery coming out of his hands. That accounted for a few wild pitches that went to the screen and two walks. Otherwise, Darvish went three shutout innings without a hit allowed. He struck out three.
Darvish gets pitch count up
(2/26/2013) Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish made his first start of the Cactus League on Tuesday against the White Sox and got his work in. He threw two scoreless innings but needed 28 pitches to do so. "Mentally he is in a different place. He knows what to expect and he went out there today and had fun and got the job done," manager Ron Washington said to ESPN. "What I see more of this year than last year at this time is he is commanding the ball a lot better because I don't think he is trying to impress anyone. I think the only thing on his menu right now is trying to get ready for another major league season." Darvish, who struck out two with no walks, went 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA in 29 starts last season.
Darvish loses weight, adds muscle
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/17/2013) Texas starter Yu Darvish, who could be in line to start on opening day for the Rangers, though no decision has been made by manager Ron Washington yet, enters spring training with less weight and more muscle, reports ESPN. "I wanted more muscle up here," Darvish said, pointing to his upper body. Darvish completed a bullpen session Sunday and catcher Geovany Soto said he threw well. "He looked good," Soto said. "It's still early, but he's getting a feel for his pitches."
Darvish more relaxed for '13
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (1/21/2013) ESPN reports Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish feels "much more at ease" heading into his second season with Texas. "After finishing my first year, getting to know the players, coaches, front office personnel and getting to know all those guys. I feel like I'm part of the team now. It's a totally different feeling," he said. Darvish said he goes into this season having a better understanding of what it is like to pitch in the majors. "I've been able to plan, relax and prepare the way I want," Darvish said. "Last year there was more of rush in trying to prepare at a much quicker pace. I'm going at my own pace, working out, not getting hurt. This offseason preparation has been much better."
