Yu Darvish Injury: Updates on Rangers Pitcher's Recovery from Tommy John Surgery

Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish threw for the first time since his Tommy John surgery, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Continue for updates.

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Darvish Throws from 45 Feet

Monday, Aug. 17

During the throwing session, Darvish threw 25 times from 45 feet, as Wilson noted. It was certainly an important initial step as he recovers from the Tommy John surgery, although Wilson didn’t offer an expected return date.

Sean d’Oliveira of CBS Sports noted that there were no reported issues and the pitcher will "expand his throwing program" over the course of the next few weeks.

Darvish’s long-term health is critical for the Rangers because he was one of the team’s best pitchers before the surgery. He posted a 10-7 record with a 3.06 ERA in 2014 and a 2.83 ERA in 2013, although Texas shut him down for the stretch run last year with elbow concerns.

Darvish seemed optimistic back in March in light of the news that he needed Tommy John surgery, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com): "I have no worries whatsoever. I feel like during this time there are a lot of things I can do to make myself better, knowing this is going to make me better."

If the rehab does make him better, Texas will have a scary starting staff in 2016. It is already well in the thick of the American League wild-card race this season, but it could combine Darvish and Cole Hamels atop the rotation from Opening Day next year and contend for a division title.    

That is a left-handed and right-handed combination that will be difficult to beat, and squads with deadly Nos. 1 and 2 options in the playoffs often find success because the aces can theoretically pitch three or even four of the contests in a seven-game series.

If Darvish returns to full health and effectiveness with this rehab, it is difficult to envision the Rangers entering any prolonged slumps in 2016 with him and Hamels representing 40 percent of the starting rotation.