Yu Darvish injury more of same for Texas Rangers, After leading the major leagues last season with nearly 2,300 days lost to the disabled list, the Texas Rangers are already bracing themselves for a 2015 season without one of their most important players.
Ace Yu Darvish suffered a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow after pitching only one inning in his spring training debut on Thursday.
He will receive a second opinion from New York Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek on Tuesday in New York, after which the team will make a decision on whether Darvish will need season-ending Tommy John surgery.
"You've gotta move forward," general manager Jon Daniels said Saturday as the Rangers traveled to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Meanwhile, we'll get Yu the best care possible. If surgery is ultimately the call – which unfortunately ... most times it is – then we'll get him ready for 2016 if that's the decision."The Rangers did bolster their starting pitching depth with this offseason, adding veteran starter Yovani Gallardo, swingman Ross Detwiler and prospect Anthony Ranaudo.
"We came to camp pretty pleased with our starting depth and some of the options we had competing for the fifth spot – now competing for two spots," Daniels said, but adding that making a trade could also be a possibility. "We're going to look internally first. I don't think you rule anything out."
With Darvish sidelined – even if he doesn't need surgery, recovery time is expected to be at least four months – Derek Holland would likely become the team's projected opening day starter. However, he only made six appearances last season because of a knee injury – and he's experienced some shoulder soreness in camp this spring.
Veterans Gallardo and Colby Lewis are secure in their spots with Detwiler, who allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings against the Brewers on Saturday, among a number of hopefuls to fill out the rotation.The Rangers were preseason favorites in the AL West last season with the addition of first baseman Prince Fielder and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, but Fielder had his season end in mid-May due to neck issues that eventually required spinal fusion surgery.
With injuries to Holland, Martin Perez and Matt Harrison, plus Darvish being shut down in early August, the Rangers finished last in the division with a 67-95 record.
Having the entire offseason to heal, the Rangers came into camp with playoff aspirations. But those will have to be on hold for now as they await the fate of their ace right-hander.
If surgery is required, Daniels said it would likely be scheduled for the middle of next week.
Despite the misfortunes, no one would blame the Rangers for wondering if every break they get turns out to be a bad one.
"It's easy to fall into that, but I don't think we can allow ourselves to think that way," Daniels said. "We'll talk about that internally, but we're not going to take that woe-is-me mentality. It just doesn't serve any purpose."
Ace Yu Darvish suffered a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow after pitching only one inning in his spring training debut on Thursday.
He will receive a second opinion from New York Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek on Tuesday in New York, after which the team will make a decision on whether Darvish will need season-ending Tommy John surgery.
"You've gotta move forward," general manager Jon Daniels said Saturday as the Rangers traveled to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Meanwhile, we'll get Yu the best care possible. If surgery is ultimately the call – which unfortunately ... most times it is – then we'll get him ready for 2016 if that's the decision."The Rangers did bolster their starting pitching depth with this offseason, adding veteran starter Yovani Gallardo, swingman Ross Detwiler and prospect Anthony Ranaudo.
"We came to camp pretty pleased with our starting depth and some of the options we had competing for the fifth spot – now competing for two spots," Daniels said, but adding that making a trade could also be a possibility. "We're going to look internally first. I don't think you rule anything out."
With Darvish sidelined – even if he doesn't need surgery, recovery time is expected to be at least four months – Derek Holland would likely become the team's projected opening day starter. However, he only made six appearances last season because of a knee injury – and he's experienced some shoulder soreness in camp this spring.
Veterans Gallardo and Colby Lewis are secure in their spots with Detwiler, who allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings against the Brewers on Saturday, among a number of hopefuls to fill out the rotation.The Rangers were preseason favorites in the AL West last season with the addition of first baseman Prince Fielder and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, but Fielder had his season end in mid-May due to neck issues that eventually required spinal fusion surgery.
With injuries to Holland, Martin Perez and Matt Harrison, plus Darvish being shut down in early August, the Rangers finished last in the division with a 67-95 record.
Having the entire offseason to heal, the Rangers came into camp with playoff aspirations. But those will have to be on hold for now as they await the fate of their ace right-hander.
If surgery is required, Daniels said it would likely be scheduled for the middle of next week.
Despite the misfortunes, no one would blame the Rangers for wondering if every break they get turns out to be a bad one.
"It's easy to fall into that, but I don't think we can allow ourselves to think that way," Daniels said. "We'll talk about that internally, but we're not going to take that woe-is-me mentality. It just doesn't serve any purpose."
