SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas right-hander Yu Darvish, who had lower back problems of the 2013 season, is feeling good after changing his offseason workout routine because of hip discomfort.
Darvish told members of the Japanese media that his hip discomfort came to an end in the middle of January when he was told by his trainer to quit lifting heavy weights. He's been pain-free since then. Darvish's offseason workout routine also included a trip to Hawaii before he headed to the United States. His focus in Hawaii was running.
Nerve irritation in his lower back limited Darvish last September. He failed to pitch six innings in his last three starts of the season.
Darvish, who finished second in the American League Cy Young voting after a 13-9 season, threw his first bullpen of spring training Sunday. His 34-pitch outing was his ninth bullpen of the offseason.
