Darvish has 'another good day' on road to recovery

Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish is close to getting back on a full-size mound for the first time in nearly a year after elbow surgery.

That could come in his next bullpen session after throwing off a half-mound Friday for the third time in five days.

“Another really good day,” new pitching coach Doug Brocail said after Darvish’s 25-pitch session.

While walking through the clubhouse after that, Darvish said he felt good.

If Darvish recovers with no issues, his next bullpen will be 15 pitches off a regulation mound. That could be Sunday or Monday, depending on how he feels.

Darvish hasn’t thrown off a full mound since working one iing in a Cactus League game last March 5. He left that game with tightness in his right elbow, and 12 days later had Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of last season.

His last major league game was Aug. 9, 2014. His missed the end of that season because of right elbow inflammation, but was full strength when he got to Arizona last spring before experiencing tightness.

The Rangers have said they don’t expect Darvish back in their rotation before mid-May or early June.

“The one thing for me is I want to make sure that he understands that this is about him getting stronger, not worrying about trying to get a ball to the location,” Brocail said. “This is about him getting stronger and letting the ball go freely instead of having to worry if the ball’s down and trying to place the ball.”

Victorino joins Cubs

The Chicago Cubs signed veteran outfielder Shane Victorino to a minor league contract.

Victorino, 35, will compete for one of Chicago’s final roster spots.

He will join an outfield that already includes Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler. The Cubs reached the NL Championship Series last year.

Victorino helped Philadelphia win the 2008 World Series and starred when Boston won the 2013 championship. Injuries have limited his time in recent seasons and he hit only .230 in 71 games for Boston and the Angels last season.

During the winter, Victorino hit with Fowler and third baseman Kris Bryant in the Las Vegas area. Victorino says he’s healthy now.

“I caot be more excited,” Victorino said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

“You can’t put a value on being a wier and wiing a championship,” he said. “That’s the goal. It’s not about playing time. It’s about wiing. Obviously, I’ve got to win my job on the team.”

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Almonte suspended

Cleveland Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. MLB said that Almonte tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid generally used by veterinarians on horses. The 26-year-old outfielder will not be allowed to play in regular-season games until July, but can play in spring training. He was likely to compete for a starting job in the outfield while Michael Brantley works his way back from a shoulder injury.

Acquired by the Indians on July 31, 2015 in a deal for left-handed reliever Marc Rzepczynski, Almonte played 51 games for Cleveland last season, hitting .264 with five home runs and 20 RBIs.

MLB says 18 minor and major league players have been found in violation of the league’s drug policy this year, including three major league players.

Rangers sign Stubbs

Drew Stubbs agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers.

He spent the end of last season with Texas after signing a minor league deal in August following his release by Colorado.

The Rangers used Stubbs primarily as a defensive replacement and pinch-ruer. He had only 21 at-bats in 27 regular-season games, then played in four of the five Division Series games for the AL West champions.

Stubbs gives the Rangers some depth in the outfield with slugger Josh Hamilton set to start the season on the disabled list with left knee issues.

The 31-year-old Stubbs has played 816 major league games with Cinciati (2009-12), Cleveland (2013), Colorado (2014-15) and Texas.

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