ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Yu Darvish doesn’t want to make a big deal out of his major league debut with the Texas Rangers.
Darvish says he’s trying to stay on an even keel and approach Monday night’s start against Seattle like any other game.
His first start for the two-time defending American League champions comes nearly three months after the Rangers committed more than $107 million to sign Japan’s top pitcher to a five-year contract. That includes his guaranteed $56 million contract.
In a short session with reporters Saturday, Darvish said he’s not at 100 percent season form yet, but is prepared to compete on the major league level.
The 25-year-old Darvish was 93-38 with a 1.99 ERA in 167 games the past seven seasons in Japan’s Pacific League for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
