Texas-sized thrill

Yu Darvish leaned over and looked at his name and the No. 11 on the back of his Texas Rangers jersey. Then he looked up and smiled. “Excited, that’s all I feel right now,” Darvish said through a translator. “Just excited going forward.” Japan’s best pitcher is now officially a member of the two-time defending American League champions, with his formal introduction Friday night in Texas coming two days after the right-hander agreed to a six-year contract that guarantees him $56 million. He said he plans to be relaxed with his new team and in a new country. “I have no worries,” he said. “What I’m looking forward to is a different environment, a different league and different hitters. I’m looking forward to it full of excitement.” – Associated Press