Rangers expect Darvish to make Tuesday start

Texas right-hander Yu Darvish threw 39 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to make his next scheduled start.

Darvish was scratched from his start Thursday with right quadriceps tightness. Rangers manager Ron Washington said Sunday that the Japanese rookie will take his turn in the rotation Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Darvish threw 30 pitches in the bullpen and took fielding practice Saturday.

Sunday's workout also included agility drills, and Darvish said that he was physically fine afterward.

''It feels very good,'' Darvish said through an interpreter. ''If I had made that start (Thursday), I think I was physically able do so.''

Darvish originally felt discomfort last Tuesday. The Rangers decided to skip the All-Star's turn in the rotation as a precaution.

Darvish is 12-9 with a 4.51 ERA. He has 172 strikeouts, which ranks fourth in the American League.

''I had the same physical preparation,'' Darvish said. ''With my delivery, I was able to do the same things.''

In addition to Darvish's expected return, the Rangers reinstated right-hander Koji Uehara (strained right lat) from the 15-day disabled list on Sunday.

To make room for Uehara, the club optioned right-hander Tanner Scheppers to Triple-A Round Rock.

Uehara, who has a 2.11 ERA in 20 games, last pitched June 9. He made three rehab appearances in Round Rock before rejoining the roster. Scheppers was 1-0 with a 4.56 ERA in 29 appearances.