Community Picks: Toronto Blue Jays 0% vs Texas Rangers 0%

By Jon Herskovitz ROUND ROCK, Texas (Reuters) - Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish went four strong innings in a rehabilitation start on Thursday as he edges closer to a return to the Majors after missing last season due to elbow surgery. Darvish, who dazzled Major League Baseball after arriving from Japan in 2012 and was a Cy Young runner-up the following year, is being brought along patiently from Tommy John surgery that scuttled his 2015 campaign. Wearing number 75 for the Round Rock Express, the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate located near Austin, Darvish got off to a rough first inning, walking the first two batters he faced, in a start against the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Continue to Article

May 12, 2016 11:01:pm EST

By Jon Herskovitz ROUND ROCK, Texas (Reuters) - Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish went four strong innings in a rehabilitation start on Thursday as he edges closer to a return to the Majors after missing last season due to elbow surgery. Darvish, who dazzled Major League Baseball after arriving from Japan in 2012 and was a Cy Young runner-up the following year, is being brought along patiently from Tommy John surgery that scuttled his 2015 campaign. Wearing number 75 for the Round Rock Express, the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate located near Austin, Darvish got off to a rough first inning, walking the first two batters he faced, in a start against the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Continue to Article

May 12, 2016 11:01:pm EST

Buster Posey might have just been a little weary after catching his second 13-inning game in five days. ''It's good to win any way you can,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. Brandon Belt was hit by a pitch to open the inning and Denard Span's bunt attempt was mishandled at second. Continue to Article

May 11, 2016 9:49:pm EST

Adam Ricks makes his living catching fast-moving baseballs. So no one should be surprised that he was able to reach up and stab a home run ball out of the air Wednesday afternoon without ever leaving his seat in the bullpen or even pulling his feet down from their rested position on a bar. [Elsewhere: Roundtable: How many games will the Cubs win this season? ] But feel free to be impressed by Ricks ability to catch the ball with a bare hand after it rocketed off the bat of teammate Brett Lawrie in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers. This is about as nonchalant and effortless a catch of a home run as you will ever see. Sure, the play was made by a staff member of a major league team with plenty of pro experience, but Ricks made it look easy. It was such a strong snag that he tipped his hat moments later to fans who showed appreciation while Lawrie completed his trot around the bases. [Elsewhere: Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich is an on-base beast ] Ricks was drafted by the White Sox in 10th round in 2004 and played eight seasons in the farm system before his playing career ended in 2011 and he moved into a role with the coaching staff. He never played in a big league game but enjoyed a big league moment on Wednesday for sure. More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: The StewPod: A baseball podcast by Yahoo Sports Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS feed - - - - - - - Kyle Ringo is a contributing writer to Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo Continue to Article

May 11, 2016 6:39:pm EST