SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Yu Darvish's contract was never an issue in Spring Training. Neither was his health.
The big issue early in camp was whether Darvish would resume throwing his high-stress split-fingered fastball. He tried a few times and then stopped, much to the relief of pitching coach Doug Brocail.
Brocail has been trying to have Darvish simplify his vast arsenal, which appears to be whittled down to fastball, sinker, slider and an offspeed pitch to be named or tried later.
That done, Darvish enjoyed a smooth and quiet spring marked by the birth of his son.