ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Yu Darvish is expected to work out in Texas for a few more days before returning to Japan after an MRI indicated inflammation from nerve irritation in the pitcher's lower back has subsided.
Darvish pitched through the problem the final six weeks of the Major League Baseball season. He had an injection two days after the season ended before going home.
The Rangers said Thursday that Darvish had a follow-up exam in Texas this week and will continue with a core conditioning program to strengthen his back. The right-hander should be able to go through his offseason throwing program with no issues.
Darvish went 13-9 with a 2.93 ERA in 32 MLB starts, with a league-best 277 strikeouts in 209 innings.
