The Texas Rangers are used to dealing with injuries this season. As such, it is no surprise that they are prepared to make the reasonable and wise decision to shut down ace Yu Darvish for the remainder of the year with just about 20 games left.
There is no need to mess with a ding to his throwing elbow. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that the team is likely planning to end Darvish’s season officially with an announcement this weekend:
"In all likelihood, what has been a very real possibility — that Darvish won’t pitch again this season — will become official sometime this weekend. Darvish will undergo a follow-up exam with team medical director Dr. Keith Meister on Thursday in Arlington. Then the team will assess the next step.That step will be a cautious one, even if Darvish turns up without symptoms."
Caution is the right choice here. The Rangers are toiling away at the bottom of the American League West in what has long been a lost season. Each situation should be treated on its own, of course, but there is little to be gained in trotting Darvish out there to pitch in these games when they can give him extra rest to be ready for spring training next year.
Darvish has gone 10-7 this season with a 3.06 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 144.1 innings of work. He is 28 years old.
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