ARLINGTON, Texas _ Right-hander Yu Darvish will make a second rehab start Sunday at Double A Frisco, and it could be his last before returning to the Texas Rangers' rotation after the All-Star break.
Or it might not be his last, and a third rehab start would open the door for another start by Chi Chi Gonzalez, even though he was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.
The decision will depend on how Darvish, on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tightness, feels Monday after throwing five innings or 75 pitches at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
If Darvish pitches well and is healthy, manager Jeff Banister said that the Rangers would consider activating him for the first series of the second half. If not, Darvish would make another rehab start and possibly not be activated until July 20 or July 22.
That means the Rangers would have two vacancies in their rotation, and Gonzalez would be a candidate for one of them, even though he has an 8.71 ERA after three starts.
"He has to be," Banister said. "We're going to get Darvish back at some point, so hopefully that fixes the volatility a bit. In 10 days, we'll probably need (Gonzalez)."
The Rangers want to see Gonzalez use his sinker more effectively, both in terms of making him more efficient and helping him get back into counts. If he sees his fastball dipping low out of the strike zone, he needs to figure out how to throw it for a strike.
"Be the predator on the mound," Banister said.
Left-hander Alex Claudio was recalled from Round Rock to give the bullpen another fresh arm. Claudio is making his fourth stint with the Rangers this season.
