Yu Darvish Will Not Compete in 2013 World Baseball Classic

During the 2009 World Baseball Classic Yu Darvish made a name for himself the pitcher to have in the Majors for the next decade or so, now with the 2013 edition of the WBC upcoming in the next few months the Texas Rangers right-handed hurler has decided not to pitch for his home country of Japan this go around.

On Tuesday Darvish released the following statement, “Given my substantial workload over the last few seasons and the numerous changes I’ve endured in my move to the United States, I have decided with my team of advisers that getting ample rest is the most important thing for me right now as I prepare for the 2013 season. My ultimate goal is to help win a World Series with the Texas Rangers and to share that accomplishment with the great baseball fans in Japan.”

During Darvish’s run in the 2009 WBC he had a 2-1 record with a 2.08 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 13 innings over a span of five games which garnered the interest of several Major League clubs. The Rangers were the team lucky enough to receive Darvish’s services after paying a $51,703,411 posting fee to his Japanese club the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for the exclusive rights to negotiate with him. The Rangers then Locked up Darvish with a six-year, $56 million contract.

Last season, Darvish’s rookie campaign, he went 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA and recorded 221 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings of work as well as being named to the American League All-Star team. Darvish is expected to be named the Rangers number one starter for the 2013 season.