Rangers starter Yu Darvish confirmed that he's dealing with a physical issue that Texas is calling normal wear and tear from a 162-game season, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Wednesday.
"Well, it’s no more than what’s already out there," manager Ron Washington said Wednesday. "Everybody has issues that they’re dealing with and he’s no different. I always try to tell you guys he’s not Superman. This grind in the major league season in the United States is like no grind anywhere they play baseball because every night you’re facing the best. His issues are no more than what you already know. That’s where the grind comes in. You’ve got to go beyond the call of duty. It becomes mind over matter."
Darvish hasn't lasted at least six innings in consecutive outings for the first time all season after Tuesday's start in which he went 5 1/3 innings against Houston. In his previous start Thursday at the Rays, he went five frames. That said, he did manage to pass 200 innings for the first time in his career. He also leads the majors with 269 strikeouts.