Darvish’s debut highlights MLB.TV slate

For the first time since Aug. 8, 2014, Yu Darvish will take the mound in a Major League game.

Darvish rejoins the Rangers rotation today against the Pirates in Arlington, the culmination of a 14-month recovery from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander will provide a boost to an already-strong starting unit that entered Friday with an 18-9 record and a 3.43 ERA, the lowest in the American League.

Fans can catch Darvish’s debut outing, as well as the rest of the day’s 15-game slate, live on MLB.TV.

MLB.TV Premium returns with the same features as last year, but at $109.99, it is a full 20 bucks cheaper than the 2015 cost. This package has the best value and provides access to more than 400 devices and a free subscription to the MLB.com At Bat Premium app (a $19.99 value). It offers the best picture quality ever — a new 60 frames per second — for supported devices. Monthly signups for MLB.TV Premium are now underway as well for $24.99.

The new MLB.TV Single Team package is also now available as an $84.99 yearly subscription. You can watch a single team’s live out-of-market games in full HD.

Here’s what to watch for throughout the day (all times in ET):

Darvish debuts: PIT@TEX, 7:15 p.m.

Darvish looked like his old self in his Minor League rehab stint. He had a 0.90 ERA through five starts (20 innings) between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, striking out 21 batters against just three walks. He’ll look to build upon that against Major League-level talent today when the Rangers host Juan Nicasio and the Pirates at Globe Life Park. The Rangers are aiming for a pitch count of 85-90 for Darvish in his season debut.

“He brings another threat to the rotation and brings some excitement,” Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis said. “The fan base goes crazy with his electric stuff and his ability to throw 14 pitches for strikes. He is the type of guy who has no-hit stuff. He gets everybody excited when he takes the …

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