With pitcher Yu Darvish's trial run in the majors complete, the Rangers have raised their expectations for the right-hander heading into his second season. Backed by glimpses of improved command during the second half of his rookie campaign, manager Ron Washington believes he should settle in among the elite pitchers in the majors.
"I expect him to be a very good pitcher in the American League. And if he does what we know what he's capable of doing -- and that's keep us in ballgames -- there's no reason why he can't win enough ballgames to be considered (for the Cy Young Award)," Washington told ESPN before Darvish's first start at Houston Tuesday. "There's no reason why he can't pitch well enough to be considered."