Rangers’ Yu Darvish opts for one more live bullpen session
Yu Darvish has decided that he needs one more live bullpen session before he begins his rehab assignment in the minor leagues.
The Texas Rangers’ right-hander will throw a four-inning, 60-pitch session against hitters Tuesday at Globe Life Park. It will be his fourth live session.
His first rehab start is tentatively scheduled for May 1 at Double A Frisco. Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail said Darvish will throw three innings, or about 45 pitches, in his first rehab appearance.
After three rehab starts, he could be [ready] but we’re not counting on that. But if he comes back and says, ‘Hey, I’m ready to go,’ the horse is out of the stable. You got to let them run.
Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail on Yu Darvish
The plan would call for Darvish to throw four innings (60 pitches) on May 6, and then five innings (75 pitches) on May 11.
If Darvish feels ready after that, Brocail said, his earliest return to the Rangers’ rotation would be May 16.
“[After May 11] he has to throw a bullpen, no day off, and long toss,” Brocail said. “So we and [management] can see he’s good.”
It will be Darvish’s call whether he wants to increase to six innings (90 pitches) in another rehab start or do it at the big league level.
Brocail said the change doesn’t affect Darvish’s timetable to return.
“This live BP just takes over for the two [innings] and 30 [pitches]” he was originally going to throw in his rehab start Tuesday, Brocail said.
He’ll still end up pitching seven innings in six days.
Darvish’s velocity was up during Sunday’s session, but he wasn’t happy with his curveball and changeup.
“It looked like the curveball was off a little bit, and the changeup on a occasion is a little short, but that’s just because he hasn’t been throwing it,” Brocail said. “His [velocity] was up from what it has been. He’s good.”
Is Darvish trying to be too perfect?
“Probably,” Brocail said. “I had to explain to him I don’t care if he has all seven pitches. I’d rather him go out and get the strength part of it, the endurance.”
Brocail said once Darvish gets to five innings and 75 pitches, he’ll be ready.
“After three rehab starts, he could be [ready], but we’re not counting on that,” he said. “But if he comes back and says, ‘Hey, I’m ready to go,’ the horse is out of the stable. You’ve got to let them run.”
Darvish’s tentative rehab schedule:
Tuesday: Final live BP session in Arlington
May 1: Three innings (45 pitches) at Double A Frisco
May 6: Four innings (60 pitches) at TBD
May 11: Five innings (75 pitches) at TBD
May 16: Six innings (90 pitches) at TBD
May 21: Return to rotation/another rehab start
Beltre’s legacy
Adrian Beltre’s legacy is only going to improve with time as he continues to pass major milestones.
He played in his 2,500th game at third base Friday night in Chicago, seventh most for an infielder and second most at third base behind Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson (2,870).
Beltre, of course, “doesn’t really care” about his all-time numbers. But there is one aspect of his stature that he tolerates. His 9-year-old son, A.J., has come to enjoy watching his dad climb up various leader boards. He’ll ask his father, for instance, where he currently ranks all time after he hits a homer.
“He asks me really specific questions,” Beltre said. “I don’t even look it up because he knows it more than me. He cares a little too much. He really likes the game and he’s a huge fan of mine, so even though sometimes I don’t want to hear, it’s cute that your son asks about stuff like that.”
Beltre entered Friday’s game 49th all time with 416 homers. After 18 seasons, Beltre said, you’re bound to compile impressive numbers.
“It’s just a sign you’ve been playing a while,” he said. “I enjoy playing every day and the fact that I have a chance to be in the lineup every day. I enjoy the competition and want to be there every day for my teammates. I never know when I’m going to play my last game.”
Kela update
The Rangers reported Friday morning that reliever Keone Kela’s surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow went well. He’s expected to miss approximately three months.
Time set for June 20
The Rangers-Orioles game postponed to June 20 will start at 7:05 p.m. The Delino DeShields Socks giveaway for the first 7,500 fans 13-and-under has been rescheduled to that game.
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
Beltre’s benchmarks
Here’s a look at the most games played at an infield position:
Player, Pos. | Games |
Brooks Robinson, 3B | 2,870 |
Omar Vizquel, SS | 2,709 |
Derek Jeter, SS | 2,674 |
Eddie Collins, 2B | 2,650 |
Luis Aparicio, SS | 2,581 |
Joe Morgan, 2B | 2,527 |
Ozzie Smith, SS | 2,511 |
Adrian Beltre, 3B | 2,500 |
This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Rangers’ Yu Darvish opts for one more live bullpen session."