ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish is expected to make his start Wednesday night against Houston despite being hit near the crown of his head by a batted ball during Rangers batting practice before Tuesday's game.
The Texas Rangers said Darvish was examined by team physician Dr. Keith Meister before Tuesday night's game against Houston, and that ``everything appears to be OK.'' He will be re-examined on Wednesday, but is expected to make his start.
Darvish was participating in a throwing session in right field when a line drive by Leonys Martin came his way. Darvish saw it in time to duck and turn his head, but could not avoid it completely.
Clearly stunned, the Japanese ace dropped into a squat momentarily before getting up, wiping his brow and appearing to check for blood. He then put his cap back on and finished his throwing session with other pitchers in right field.
A paramedic walked out to check on the pitcher, but was waved away.
Responding on Twitter to an article about the incident, Darvish indicated that he was OK:
I'm fine. "@Evan_P_Grant: #Rangers Yu Darvish takes glancing blow off the head. http://t.co/W1OI9MPaCy"
- ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) July 8, 2014
Rangers left-hander Derek Holland was shagging balls in front of Darvish. The ball glanced off Holland's glove before hitting Darvish.
"I heard it," Holland said. "I was supposed to be protecting him but I just couldn't get to the ball. It was too high. I didn't get high enough. He's fine."
Wednesday is Darvish's last scheduled appearance before the All-Star break. Before his expected start last Thursday was pushed back a day because of weather concerns in Baltimore, the right-hander had been on track to start Sunday in the last game before the break. A pitcher who works Sunday cannot throw in the All-Star game.
Information from ESPNDallas.com contributor Randy Jennings and The Associated Press was used in this report.