RADIO
This might be another throw-away season for the Texas Rangers. Staff ace Yu Darvish is considering Tommy John surgery that would surely take him out of commission for all of 2015, perhaps even longer. The elbow inflammation that prompted the Rangers to shut Darvish down late last season now looks like it might be a more serious issue.
Tests revealed a sprained ulner collateral ligament in Darvish's right elbow after just 12 pitches in Thursday's spring training matchup against the Kansas City Royals. After being limited to only 22 starts in the Rangers' dreadful 2014 campaign, Darvish felt discomfort in his throwing elbow during warmups and the pain did not go away during his brief outing.
The three-time all-star is keeping an open mind to other options. Still, waiting could prove to be counterproductive if the surgery is needed down the road. Even if surgery is not required, Darvish is expected to miss at least four months of work. This news is devastating to a Rangers squad looking to improve on an AL worst 67-95 record in 2014.
In his absence, the Rangers rotation will be rather barren. Derek Holland expects to make his return to the mound this year after missing most of 2014 with a knee injury (which he bizarrely sustained while playing with his dog at home during the offseason). Fortunately for Texas fans, the Rangers added three new starting pitches - Yovani Gallardo, Ross Detwiler and Anthony Ranaudo - to join Holland and Colby Lewis in the rotation.
Consider Darvish a non-option for fantasy this year until more news comes forth. Consider Detwiler and Ranaudo as more valuable options in the absence of Darvish in only the deepest of leagues, as neither has shown much consistency in the past.
