Rangers manager Ron Washington said Wednesday that Yu Darvish will start the team's first playoff game. It's unclear whether that will be in the one-game Wild Card playoff or during the ALDS. Darvish has a 3.90 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings during his first year stateside.

Yu Darvish returned to action on Sunday September 30.

Yu Darvish pitched well in a no-decision Sunday, allowing three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a loss to the Angels. He gave up nine hits and walked one while striking out seven, watching his 17th win slip away when Joe Nathan blew just his third save of the season. Darvish was scratched from his last outing with a stiff neck, but it didn't appear to be an issue for him this afternoon. He'll finish his first regular season in the states with a 3.90 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 221 strikeouts over 191 1/3 innings.

Yu Darvish (neck) threw a bullpen session Friday without any issues. Darvish was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday due to neck stiffness, but he should be good to go Sunday against the Angels. "I was able to throw my bullpen without any discomfort," Darvish said through interpreter Joe Furukawa. "When I make my next start, I don't think it's going to be a factor."

Yu Darvish (neck) felt fine after playing long toss Thursday. Darvish was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday due to neck stiffness, but he hopes to get back on a mound on Friday. If all goes well, he'll start Sunday afternoon against the Angels.

Yu Darvish (neck) is tentatively scheduled to start Sunday afternoon against the Angels. Darvish could pitch sooner if he begins feeling significant improvement over the next couple of days. The Japanese right-hander was scratched Tuesday against the A's because of neck stiffness. He has a 3.90 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 214/88 K/BB ratio in 184 2/3 innings this season.

Yu Darvish was scratched from his start Tuesday night against the A's because of neck stiffness. Scott Feldman will take the mound in his place. The Rangers enter play Tuesday with a five-game lead over the Athletics in the American League West standings, so the decision to scratch Darvish was probably an easy one. He should be ready to rock later this week.

Yu Darvish was credited with the win after pitching eight innings of one-run ball against the Angels on Thursday. The Rangers took a 3-1 lead in the ninth and closed it out from there to get Darvish his 16th win. He's allowed just three earned runs and fanned 26 over his last three starts. The Rangers have to be feeling much better about their potential postseason rotation with the way Darvish has thrown lately.

Yu Darvish pitched Tuesday's bullpen session with a brace on his right knee. It appears to be a non-issue, as Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted that Darvish was more bothered by the question about the brace than he was about his knee. The righty has been red-hot of late, lowering his ERA from 4.57 to 4.02 over his last six starts. He'll get the ball Thursday against the Angels.

Yu Darvish twirled a stellar ballgame in Friday's victory over the Mariners, allowing just one run on two hits over seven strong innings. He piled up nine strikeouts while issuing only two free passes on the evening. The only mark against him came on a sacrifice fly from Jesus Montero in the fourth inning. Darvish has now turned in six straight quality starts, lowering his ERA from 4.57 to 4.02 in the process. He'll take a 15-9 record and 205/87 K/BB ratio into Thursday's match-up with the Angels in Anaheim.