Darvish, Hanson Offer Mixed Thoughts On Scrimmage

After the initial "game" in Arizona on Monday, when the Texas Rangers had their first intrasquad scrimmage of spring training, two starting pitchers who figure to factor into the team's starting rotation in different capacities had differing thoughts on their respective performances.

Yu Darvish, who will be the club's Opening Day starter on March 31 after finishing second in the AL Cy Young race last season, said he felt good physically after a 13-pitch inning, but was a bit inconsistent in his performance.

“It being the first time, I felt a little bit awkward out there," Darvish told reporters through an interpreter. "I think it will be OK. I was just a little bit inconsistent.”

Tommy Hanson, who the Rangers signed as a free agent out of Los Angeles, was brought into to compete for a spot in the back end of the rotation, especially considering the fact projected No. 2 starter Derek Holland will be out until at least the all-star break after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee.

Hanson seemed very pleased with his 11-pitch inning, as he struck out two using his big, swooping curveball and a fastball that seems to be improved from an injury-plagued 2012 and 2013.

“My command is better than it was last year,” Hanson told The Dallas Morning News. “If I can locate my fastball, I feel pretty confident. I felt today like it was coming out pretty good and I think there is more in there to get.”

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