As summer approaches quickly and the weather gets hotter, so do the Texas Rangers. The Rangers, who currently are in second in the American League West as of May 27, are in a good position to make their way to the playoffs this October. Someone that will assist the Rangers in this process is starting pitcher Yu Darvish, who is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery from a torn UCL he suffered in his right elbow last spring.

Darvish, a former Cy Young award runner up and All Star, is currently making rehab starts in the minor leagues to prepare for his return to the Rangers. Darvish has dominated his minor league opposition so far, accumulating 15 strikeouts in 14 innings and a 1.29 ERA with the Rangers’ minor league affiliates: Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.

“He will be very beneficial to the Rangers rotation by giving them much more depth. His presence in the rotation will also allow the struggling bullpen to get a little more rest, which will help the team in the long run,” Will Harrison, varsity baseball player and avid Rangers fan, said.

Darvish’s return to the big leagues will significantly strengthen the rotation as a whole and allow struggling members of the Rangers’ pitching staff to get some much needed days off.

“The Rangers get a guy back who has proven he can dominate Major League hitters on a consistent basis. His arrival will remove the struggling pitcher Cesar Ramos from the rotation as well, which will really improve the Rangers,” Michael Martinez, junior varsity baseball coach, said about the significance of Darvish’s return.

Darvish’s return to the big leagues, which is slated to occur at the end of the month, will positively impact the Rangers as they make a playoff push this summer. Look for Yu Darvish to return later this month, and provide a new spark for the Rangers this season.