Yu Darvish undergoes ligament transplant surgery

Rangers make seven roster moves

Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish underwent season-ending ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow on Tuesday morning. The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews at the Andrews Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

During the procedure, Dr. Andrews replaced the ligament in Darvish's elbow with the Palmaris tendon from his right forearm. Dr. Andrews reported that the surgery went as expected with no complications, and Darvish will have a follow-up examination on Wednesday.

Darvish will have his right arm in a sling for approximately 7-10 days and will then have a brace on the elbow. He will begin his rehab in the next few days and will return to the Rangers' complex in Surprise, Arizona to continue that process. Darvish is expected to undergo his rehab in Arlington once the regular season begins.

Darvish left his first Cactus League start on March 5 vs. Kansas City after one inning with tightness in his right triceps. An MRI and examination by Rangers Team Physician Dr. Keith Meister the following day indicated that Darvish has a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Darvish was examined in New York on March 10 by New York Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altchek, who concurred with Dr. Meister's recommendation for surgery. Darvish met with Dr. Andrews on Monday in advance of today's surgery.

TEXAS RANGERS ROSTER MOVES FOR MARCH 17

The Rangers made the following roster moves on Tuesday:

Optioned to Triple-A Round Rock: OF Michael Choice, RHP Jerad Eickhoff, RHP Luke Jackson
Assigned to Minor League Camp: RHP Alec Asher, C Pat Cantwell, LHP Martire Garcia
Released from Minor League Contract: LHP Michael Kirkman

With the moves, the Rangers have 57 players remaining on their spring training roster, including LHP Martin Perez and INF Jurickson Profar on the 60-day disabled list.