Yu Darvish made it through a game of catch on Monday but is still battling soreness in his neck. Darvish woke up with the soreness on Thursday and had to be scratched from a scheduled minor league start on Friday. The Rangers are now considering using a different starter for Opening Day and pushing Darvish back a week or so. This shouldn't affect his fantasy stock.

Yu Darvish has been scratched from a scheduled minor league start Friday due to a stiff neck. Darvish said the ailment came up on Thursday as a result of him "sleeping wrong." He dealt with neck issues last season, as well, but he said he'll be fine for Opening Day. Darvish is tentatively scheduled to start on Wednesday in what will be his fine tuneup. "If I have two or three days of rest, I'll be ready to make my next start," Darvish said through an interpreter. "I've covered almost everything that I wanted to, so, as far as a setback, I don't think so. I think I'm ready to go."

Yu Darvish surrendered two runs in five innings during Monday's start against the Reds. Darvish allowed five hits and didn't issue any walks. He only recorded one strikeout, now giving him five total in 10 Cactus League innings. It's a bit surprising to see from last year's AL strikeout leader.

Yu Darvish allowed two runs in two innings against the Angels on Tuesday. Darvish allowed a solo shot to Raul Ibanez and an RBI double to Chris Iannetta in a two-run second inning. The more unflattering stat, though, was that last year's AL strikeout leader didn't punch anyone out.

Yu Darvish was in top form Thursday, striking out four Royals in two scoreless innings of work. Darvish allowed two hits, a double and a single, but was otherwise difficult for the Royals to square up. That is certainly not an uncommon complaint made by Darvish's opponents. Darvish is hoping to duplicate the success he enjoyed last season, when he finished second in the AL Cy Young race.

Rangers manager Ron Washington has officially named Yu Darvish as his Opening Day starter. We're guessing it didn't take long for him to decide. Darvish is said to be fully recovered from back and hip issues and should be one of the first starting pitchers off the board in mixed fantasy leagues this spring.

Yu Darvish (hip) said he felt good after throwing one inning Monday in an instrasquad game. Darvish dealt with some back pain late last season and had some discomfort in his hip during the offseason, but he reported no issues Monday and was clocked around 94-95 mph with his fastball. He's scheduled to start in Thursday's Cactus League opener against the Royals.

Yu Darvish (hip) threw live batting practice Thursday. The workout went off without a hitch. Darvish experienced some hip discomfort this offseason in the middle of a weight-training regimen, but he quickly adapted his routine and is now 100 percent healthy in Rangers camp. The 27-year-old right-hander posted a brilliant 2.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 11.9 K/9 in 209 2/3 innings last season.

Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest reports that Yu Darvish was forced to change his offseason workout routine after experiencing hip discomfort. The problem stemmed from Darvish's weight-lifting regimen. His trainer advised him in mid-January to stop lifting heavy weights, and he's been pain free since. The talented right-hander dealt with a nerve issue in his back at the end of the 2013 season, but doesn't appear to be limited this spring. His massive strikeout ability ensures that he'll be one of the first hurlers selected in all fantasy drafts.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he won't rush a contract extension for Yu Darvish. Daniels said he will approach Darvish "at the right time." Darvish received a six-year, $56 million contract before the 2012 season from the Rangers after Texas paid a $51.7 million posting fee. "At some point, we'll sit down and talk with him just like we would on everybody," Daniels said. "He still has four years on his deal. I don't see a rush necessarily, but we'll address it at the right time." Darvish's compensation became a popular topic after the Yankees inked Masahiro Tanaka to a seven-year, $155 million deal, $99 million more guaranteed than Darvish.