Washington vague, but notes Darvish wouldn’t let problem stop him
GERRY FRALEY
Staff Writer
Published: 01 October 2013 02:20 PM
Updated: 01 October 2013 09:26 PM
ARLINGTON — Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish stayed in the rotation late in
the season despite what appeared to be sciatica, an individual familiar with
the situation said Tuesday.
Manager Ron Washington alluded to the problem during a discussion of the
season. Washington said Darvish “had something” but declined to provide
details.
“I don’t think I can even get into that,” Washington said. “I’ll let you
all talk to people above me and the medical staff. But I can say this: He
never said it was an issue.”
Sciatica is a common form of lower back discomfort. It can be caused by
compressed nerve roots or a protruding disk in the back.
It is not known if this is the same condition that caused Darvish to miss
starts with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japan Pacific League in
2009 and ’10. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels did not respond to an
inquiry, and Darvish was not available for comment.
Darvish failed to complete the sixth inning in each of his final three
starts. It marked the first time in two seasons with the Rangers that Darvish
has had three consecutive starts of less than six innings.
Two major league scouts who followed the Rangers in the final weeks of the
season questioned Darvish’s physical condition. According to the scouts,
Darvish threw only one legitimate four-seam fastball, his power pitch, Sunday
against the Los Angeles Angels.