Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister Opening Day starter remains a mystery, but many expect one pitcher to be a front-runner.
Yu Darvish is that option. He returned to camp in Surprise, Arizona Thursday after missing the last few days. He took a few days off to be with his wife who gave birth to their second child earlier this week.
Banister says his co-ace of the pitching staff is well-equipped to handle the excitement of fatherhood while not losing focus on his commitment to his teammates.
“This is a very routine oriented guy. So I don’t think those type of things bother him. It is hectic and exciting. I think he has a number of people who help him in a number of different ways that take a lot of different things off his plate so he can concentrate on being a husband, father and ultimately a major league baseball player,” said Banister.
The coach says Darvish has done very well this spring.
“He’s looked good in every outing he’s gone out. The ball has come out clean and he has a feel for all of his pitches. Now it’s just repeating that every fifth day,” Banister said.
