Just as Yu Darvish was hoping to return from tightness in his elbow that ended his season early last year, he got some news that is even worse.
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Darvish has a tear in the ulnar colleteral ligament in his right elbow. Darvish will receive a second medical opinion before deciding what to do, but Tommy John surgery seems like the most likely outcome.
Darvish could also opt to rest and hope that his elbow recovers — which is what he did over the offseason — but that does not seem like it would be a proper long-term fix for the issue.
“I will be disappointed if I have to miss this season, but I want to look at all the options, including getting a second opinion, before I make a final decision,” Darvish said in a statement via the Morning News. “In the meantime, my heart is with my teammates and our focus remains on accomplishing our goals for the season.”
Just to show how quickly things can change, Darvish apparently had a clean MRI in January but a recent MRI revealed damage to the fibers.
The injury to Darvish is a huge blow to the Rangers, who already had question marks in their rotation. Derek Holland is returning from a shoulder injury, and Colby Lewis posted a 5.18 ERA last season. Without Darvish, they will be hard-pressed to stack up with the rest of the competitive AL West.
If he undergoes Tommy John surgery, Darvish would miss all of this season and might not be ready in time for the start of the 2016 season.
