Yu Darvish news: 5 IP, 68 pitches for Frisco today

Yu Darvish news:  Texas Rangers righthanded pitcher Yu Darvish had another successful rehab appearance for the Frisco Roughriders today, throwing 68 pitches over 5 innings, striking out 6, walking 1, giving up 3 hits, and allowing a single unearned run.

Darvish had 47 strikes against 21 balls while pitching in 20 mph winds at Midland, and the reports on Twitter from the folks watching him were all pretty positive.  Darvish is expected to have one more rehab start before re-joining the Rangers' rotation later this month.

With A.J. Griffin on the disabled list, the Rangers used Cesar Ramos for a spot start the last time the fifth starter spot came up.  Ramos presumably will fill in again, with Darvish seemingly on track to be back before that spot were to come back up again, given off days.  The Rangers will then have a decision to make when Griffin is ready to return.  Griffin landed on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, but had a 2.94 ERA and a 3.45 FIP in 33.2 IP over 6 starts before going on the d.l.

Griffin will presumably get at least a couple of rehab starts, at which point the Rangers could bring him back as a long man, option him and let him continue to work as a starter in the minors, or put him back in the rotation, which would displace one of the current starters.