Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish said Tuesday that the stiff neck that held him out of Monday's Cactus League start was feeling better. The right-hander is expected to throw a bullpen session on Thursday before being re-evaluated.

Darvish has allowed one run and struck out 10 over 8 2/3 innings his spring.

Manager Ron Washington told ESPN.com he expects Darvish to be ready for the start of the regular season.

"It's not a big issue. If he is fine today, then he'll do a bullpen," Washington said. "If that goes well, Mike (Maddux) will pencil him back in the game Thursday or Friday. We'll let him pitch a couple of innings in the minors, shut him down and get him ready for his next start. A lot of it is going to depend on today. The neck wasn't that big of an issue, it was just precautionary."