Yu Darvish To Sit Out 2013 World Baseball Classic
Published at
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Texas Rangers righthander Yu Darvish announced on Tuesday that he won’t pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in 2013.
Darvish is instead choosing to rest and focus on preparing for his second season in the MLB.
“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,” Darvish said in a statement. “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.”
Darvish previously pitched for Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, helping his team win it all. He was the winning pitcher in the championship game over South Korea.
In his rookie season with the Rangers, Darvish went 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA and 221 strikeouts. He will most likely by the team’s No. 1 starter next season.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio.