Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish will not make his scheduled Monday start against the Oakland Athletics because of tightness in his neck and shoulder, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
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Darvish Set for MRI
Saturday, June 11
Grant did not list a date for the MRI but did say Darvish "will go back to Dallas" for it (the team is playing at the Seattle Mariners on Saturday and Sunday before heading to Oakland).
Darvish missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery during spring training. The Rangers took things slowly with his return in 2016, as he didn't face live hitters until April 13 and didn't make his first start until May 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
While not having Darvish for nearly two months could have devastated the Rangers, even though they played without him last year, they played well over that period thanks to Cole Hamels, Martin Perez and Colby Lewis.
Darvish is a true difference-maker when healthy, as the 29-year-old had a 3.27 ERA and 680 strikeouts from 2012-14.
Even a limited Darvish, who could also be used as a weapon out of the bullpen later in the year to keep his innings low, makes the Rangers exponentially more dangerous in the American League West. Seattle got off to a strong start this season, but the Rangers are still at the front of the pack.
Texas' starting rotation has solid depth with Hamels, Perez, Lewis and Derek Holland in the top four spots. Darvish gives the Rangers a true ace when healthy, with Hamels being able to slot in as a strong No. 2.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister knows he will have to be careful with Darvish because he missed so much time. The right-hander is a game-changing weapon for this team, so Texas is likely going to take every precaution to keep him healthy for the stretch run instead of taxing him during the season.
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