Darvish OK with Rangers keeping him on pitch count

Yu Darvish is scheduled to make his second start of the season after returning from Tommy John surgery Friday against Seattle, and again will be on a pitch count.

He threw only 81 pitches in five innings in his season debut while on a limit of 85 to 90 pitches. He’ll be allowed to top out at 95 against the Mariners.

“Right now, I don’t know if I want to push him to 100,” manager Jeff Banister said. “That 85 to 95 [window], and a lot of that is dependent on how he gets to that.”

That’s fine by Darvish, who was glad to have 14 months to recovery rather than 12 months. He might be held to a pitch count for a month or longer.

“It’s better to have a pitch count than they push you and you overpitch,” Darvish said.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos remains on track to catch Darvish’s fourth start, which if the rotation stays in order would fall June 13 at Oakland. Chirinos (broke right ulna) and Shin-Soo Choo (strained left hamstring) are scheduled to fly to extended spring training in Arizona to continue their rehab without weather interruptions.

Chirinos is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list June 9. Choo can come off the 15-day DL Sunday but won’t be activated until he plays back-to-back nine-inning games in the field, possibly late next week.

Drew Stubbs (sprained left toe) is eligible to return Tuesday, but isn’t running or taking live batting practice.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Darvish OK with Rangers keeping him on pitch count."