Texas Rangers hurler Yu Darvish wrapped up his spring training Wednesday, satisfied that he has had no setbacks in recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
The 29-year-old right-hander, who had the procedure in March last year, has been throwing three bullpen sessions a week since resuming pitching in the third week of February, increasing the number of pitches along the way.
Darvish has been extremely patient in increasing the strength in the elbow, gradually raising the height of the mound and lowering the catcher's crouch.
Through his thorough attention to nutrition intake and intense physical training, he appears to be bigger and stronger than he was before the operation.
Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail, who had the same surgery twice during his playing days, says he is surprised the road back for Darvish has been so smooth.
Darvish, however, isn't.
"I've been doing what I've had to do. I was always confident," he said. "It's been a steady process. I've been doing everything that I've wanted to do."
Darvish will return to Arlington, Texas, where he will start to throw batting practice and pitch in minor league games while aiming to rejoin the Rangers in mid-May.