Yu throws 86 pitches in 'pen session, next step TBD

ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, who is on the disabled list with stiffness in his neck, threw 86 pitches in the bullpen on Tuesday without any problems.

The Rangers will wait and see how Darvish recovers before they decide what's next. He is eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday, but that won't happen, because it would mean pitching on three days' rest. 

"We did the assimilation of probably four innings of work, getting up and down," pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "All pitches were good. He looked very good, feels healthy. But we'll know more [Wednesday], and see how he recovers from that. So the next step would be to wait until [Wednesday]. He's on the right track."

The earliest Darvish would pitch is Sunday against the Rays. But the Rangers haven't decided if they want him to throw another bullpen session or possibly a simulated game. Darvish hasn't pitched in a game since March 16.