This is why we can’t have nice things. Rangers ace Yu Darvish has a sprained UCL, and Tommy John surgery is on the table.
Darvish has sprain of UCL in elbow. TJ is a possibility. To have more consultation
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) March 7, 2015
Darvish left his start on Thursday with tightness in his triceps. The 28-year old Japanese star was shut down last August because of inflammation in his right elbow.
Even if Darvish is able to avoid surgery, the Rangers rotation still has its share of question marks. Derek Holland missed nearly all of 2014 following offseason knee surgery. Colby Lewis missed all of 2013 following surgery in July of 2012 to repair a torn flexor tendon. Matt Harrison’s career may be over following spinal fusion surgery. Martin Perez is still recovering from his own Tommy John surgery. Ross Detwiler spent 2014 in the Nationals bullpen.
But losing Darvish for a sustained period of time is a completely different issue, and would be a potentially fatal blow towards the Rangers and their hopes of contending in 2015. It would also suck for baseball as a whole – Darvish is one of the best, and most fun to watch, pitchers in baseball. The game is worse off if he’s out of the picture for a sustained period of time.
