CHICAGO -- Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish was a three-time All-Star before undergoing Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on March 17, 2015. He is now an All-Star again in his first full season since the surgery.
Darvish was selected to the American League pitching staff in the players' vote and will be going back to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2014. Darvish has now been selected as an All-Star in all four of his full seasons in the Major Leagues. He missed all of 2015 and much of the first half in 2016 while recovering from the surgery.
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"It means a lot to me," Darvish said. "When I had Tommy John surgery, I wasn't sure I would ever come back on the mound. To continue to pitch and be selected for the All-Star Game, it means a lot to me."
He is the first Rangers pitcher to be selected four times to the All-Star Game. He could be the Rangers' only participant unless shortstop Elvis Andrus wins the Final Vote.
It's not known if Darvish will pitch in the game. He is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Red Sox and again on Sunday against the Twins. Since he is pitching on Sunday, it will be up to Darvish if he wants to pitch in the All-Star Game. He can opt out, but if he doesn't, he has to commit to throwing 20 pitches in the game if called upon.
"I told them I wanted to pitch," Darvish said.
Darvish has made 17 starts for the Rangers and is 6-6 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He is third in the league in strikeouts with 115.
Darvish did not pitch in 2012 after being elected in the Final Vote and was replaced in 2013 because of a strained right trapezius muscle. He pitched a scoreless inning in 2014 at Target Field in Minnesota.
Fans can cast ballots for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com, Club sites and their mobile devices until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will then be announced during "MLB Tonight" live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 6 p.m. Extensive coverage throughout the Final Vote will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns, and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement.
On Tuesday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.