Darvish has torn elbow ligaments
Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers had hoped the tightness felt by the three-time All-Star in his triceps during his spring training debut was nothing to be concerned about.
Instead, an MRI exam late Friday revealed just about the worst news possible.
Darvish has partially torn ligaments in addition to inflammation in his troublesome right elbow, and might need Tommy John surgery. It’s another massive blow a suddenly snake-bit franchise that struggled through a rash of devastating injuries last season.
“Not going to sugarcoat it, it’s not the news that we wanted,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “You basically have two choices: You can hang your head and kind of dwell on it or you can do everything you can to get him the right care and get him back.”
Just exactly what care that is had yet to be determined.
Darvish could try to pitch through the injury, rest it for six weeks and then try to rebuild his stamina, or undergo surgery that would end his season before it begins.
That decision will be made after he visits Dr. David Altchek, the Mets’ team physician and an expert in Tommy John surgery, on Tuesday in New York.
“The concern with the first two options is, are you delaying the inevitable?” he said. “It’s not black and white. … There’s no guarantees with any course.”
Darvish was shut down for the final seven weeks last season with inflammation in the same elbow. He underwent an MRI exam around Thanksgiving that came back clean, and had not experienced any trouble in workouts and bullpen sessions.
He first felt tightness while warming up in the bullpen before Thursday’s game against Kansas City, but did not inform anyone before taking the mound. He threw 12 pitches in his only inning, and then informed the Rangers staff of some pain.
Harbaugh joins A’s
The Oakland A’s added a new coach to their roster on Saturday. Might’ve heard of him — Jim Harbaugh.
The former coach of the San Francisco 49ers and new coach at Michigan appeared in full uniform Saturday, including high socks, for the A’s. He was expected to coach first base for an inning or two against the Los Angeles Angels at HoHoKam Stadium.
Kluber solid
A.L. Cy Young winner Corey Kluber was solid in his first spring start, pitching three innings Saturday as the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers played to a 5-all tie.
The game was called after nine innings.
Kluber gave up one run and three hits, striking out one without a walk. He went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA last season in winning the award.