Yu Darvish was the target of some seemingly unwarranted criticism from Alex Rodriguez a week ago, but the star pitcher does not seem like he let the comments bother him.
During ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast last week, A-Rod claimed Darvish has taken control of his own rehab from triceps and elbow injuries and lost the respect of the Chicago Cubs’ clubhouse in the process. After he threw a 55-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, Darvish was asked about Rodriguez’s claim that he has become a distraction to his team.
“If he sends me a text message or something, I’ll keep it and maybe take a screenshot and then print it out and frame it just for a keepsake,” Darvish joked, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
Darvish made the seemingly sarcastic remark through his interpreter, and he switched over to English when reporters began chuckling.
“I’m not joking,” he said with a grin.
Darvish has not pitched since May 20. Cubs manager Joe Maddon and president Theo Epstein have both defended the right-hander’s rehab process, and Darvish’s agent unloaded on A-Rod earlier in the week.
