Yu Darvish came within an out of a perfect game on Tuesday, striking out 14 batters and allowing just one single in 8 2/3 innings in the 7-0 victory over the Astros. We expected big things from the 26-year-old in his second full season in the MLB, but few expected them to start this soon. The right-hander struck out 221 batters in 191 1/3 innings last season, so he could legitimately approach 250 with another year under his belt. The Astros squad won't be the toughest he faces all year, but he's dominant enough that he's capable of perfection every time out. This might be the year Darvish establishes himself as a legitimate ace.

Yu Darvish (neck) told reporters on Tuesday that he already feels much better. Darvish was scratched from a scheduled Cactus League start on Monday because of a stiff neck, but he's scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday and should be fine for the opening of the regular season. He's been electric this spring, with a 1.04 ERA and 10/2 K/BB ratio in 8 2/3 innings. The right-hander's ability to rack up strikeouts in bunches will come with a hefty price tag on fantasy draft day.

Yu Darvish was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday due to a stiff neck. Darvish said he would have started if it was the regular season, so it's not a big deal. Derek Lowe will start in his place Monday night against the Royals.

Yu Darvish gave up his first run of the spring Monday against the Giants. Darvish had five shutout frames through his first two appearances during Cactus League play, but he gave up one run over 3 2/3 innings on Monday. The lone run scored on an RBI double by Hunter Pence in a 30-pitch third inning. All told, he gave up five hits while fanning five and walking none. Darvish is rounding into fine shape and we're looking for improvement with a year of MLB experience under his belt.

Yu Darvish spun three shutout innings while striking out three in Monday's win over the Padres. Darvish walked a pair but didn't give up any hits. By all accounts, the right-hander has been lights-out this spring, and the numbers back it up, as he's yet to allow a hit while striking out a batter per inning.

Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News writes that Yu Darvish is "already looking better" than he did in his first Rangers camp. Darvish didn't allow a baserunner and showed midseason velocity in his spring training debut. While he struggled at times during the second half of 2012, Darvish still posted a 1.78 ERA in his final seven starts and finished fifth in the AL with 221 strikeouts. We like him as a top-20 starter going into the season.

Yu Darvish blanked the White Sox for two innings in Tuesday's 14-8 Cactus League loss. Darvish struck out a pair and didn't allow a baserunner in his first spring performance. The Japanese import was terrific in the final month for the Rangers last season and is a shoo-in for 200 strikeouts in 2013.

Rangers manager Ron Washington indicated on Friday that Geovany Soto will serve as Yu Darvish's personal catcher during the 2013 season. Soto caught each of Darvish's final eight starts of the 2012, where he posted a stellar 5-1 record and 2.35 ERA. Washington acknowledged that Soto has a way of relaxing the pitchers that he caught for, and that he communicates well with Darvish. It's something to keep in mind when targeting the 26-year-old Japanese hurler on draft day.

Yu Darvish will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic. It's a decision that the Rangers are surely pleased with. Darvish totaled 191 1/3 innings in 2012, and also went 6 2/3 frames in the Rangers' AL Wild Card loss to the Orioles. He's been prescribed rest this winter.

Yu Darvish pitched a solid ballgame in Friday's loss to the Orioles in the AL Wild Card game, surrendering three runs (two earned) on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. Darvish racked up seven strikeouts on the night without walking a batter. The O's scored an unearned run in the first when Nate McLouth reached on an error, stole second and scored on a single from J.J. Hardy. They took the lead in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Adam Jones. Darvish handed the ball over to Derek Holland with a man on and two outs in the seventh, and he came around to score on an RBI single from Nate McLouth. Even in defeat, Darvish finished his first MLB season strong and will enter the 2013 campaign at the top of the Rangers rotation.