ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers only have to wait a few more days before the ace will be back on the mound. Darvish is scheduled to make his season debut Sunday at Tampa Bay after getting through an extended bullpen session without any issues. "Hes ready to go," manager Ron Washington said Wednesday, when Darvish reported feeling good a day after throwing 86 pitches. Washington said Darvish is as strong as he was before the neck stiffness that kept the pitcher from throwing for two weeks. Darvish was placed on the disabled list to start the season, though the move was retroactive to March 21, making the right-hander eligible to be activated this weekend. "Once his neck wasnt bothering him anymore, we saw the same stuff we saw in Arizona," Washington said. "He didnt back up any." Tanner Scheppers, who started the opener and was scheduled for the series finale against the Rays, was pushed back to Monday at Boston, where he will be followed by Martin Perez and Robbie Ross against the Red Sox. Washington said there have been no decisions made past that trio that also started the first three games of the season. Darvish last faced hitters in a game March 16 during spring training. Their expected opening-day starter didnt throw again until last Saturday, when he threw off flat ground and followed that a day later with a 32-pitch bullpen session. After not throwing opening day, he came back with the strong 86-pitch session Tuesday. "Hes still as strong as an ox," Washington said. "He still was darting up the gnats that were flying around home plate. You know how small a gnat is. He was knocking them down with consistency." Darvish finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting last season, when he led the major leagues with 277 strikeouts. In his season debut last year, in the second game of the season, Darvish came within one out of a perfect game at Houston. Darvish could have been activated as early as Saturday, when right-hander Nick Martinez is scheduled to make his major league debut. Martinez has never pitched above the Double-A level and isnt even on the Rangers 25-man roster yet. Hunter Strickland Nationals Jersey . And by all indications, the team is expected to select phenom Connor McDavid with their selection. The Buffalo Sabres, who were knocked down to the second overall pick after finishing with the worst regular season record, are expected to take the other generational player in Jack Eichel. Daniel Hudson Nationals Jersey . -- Lindsey Vonn squeezed in a little freeskiing on Thanksgiving morning, a step in the right direction for a return to racing after reinjuring her right knee in a recent training crash. https://www.cheapnationals.com/817r-jake...ationals.html.Y. -- That hangover from the Big East tournament is gone for Villanova. Anthony Rendon Nationals Jersey . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. Nationals Jerseys China .com) - Carmelo Anthony tallied 31 points to help the New York Knicks continue their improved play of late with a 100-92 victory over a short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder squad.Warringtons Kurt Gidley is confident that his side are well placed to challenge St Helens in Fridays Super League clash, live on Sky Sports. Reeling from back-to-back defeats at the hands of Wakefield and Castleford in recent weeks, the Wolves struck back with a nine-try demolition of reigning champions Leeds Rhinos on Friday evening, a step in the right direction for Gidley and his team ahead of their trip to Langtree Park to take on fifth placed St Helens.We got four guys back from injury which certainly helps with attacking, defending and confidence as a team, said Gidley. We did some analysis early in the week and then we defended a lot better on Friday night against Leeds than probably the previous two weeks. Former Knights captain Gidley won 12 caps for the Kangaroos before his move to Warrington So theres much more of a spring in our step this week and St Helens actually beat us last time at home, which is something that happened pretty recently, so weve a chance to get them at their home ground this week.The 33-year-old contributed 20 points, a try and eight conversions in the victory over the Rhinos, but despite the strong performance of his team just seven days ago, Gidley is all too aware of the threat of the Saints, Warrington having fallen short against Kieran Cunninghams men in a 222-25 defeat back in April.dddddddddddd.Im not sure if Luke Walsh is playing but their halves last time dominated the game for them added Gidley. Theo Fages and Luke Walsh controlled the game really well last time that we played them and we actually scored more tries but we let in way too many points in the end and they beat us at home.So, I remember from that night we werent quite on defensively and our kicking game was off and the combination of those two things meant that we lost the game in the end. Gidley has quickly settled into his first season of Super League rugby, since his move from the NRL and Newcastle Knights and is keen to continue the positive start made with the Wolves.Ive always watched the Super League since I was a young kid and certainly the test teams against the Kangaroos. My brother played over at St Helens for four years so Ive been watching the Super League for a fair while now and always aspired to come over and challenge myself, he said.This is the right time to do that in my career and Im really enjoying the new challenge. There have certainly been some tough games and Im enjoying my decision to come over and play for Warrington - its been great so far hopefully we can continue to grow as a team and have plenty more good times ahead. Also See: PODCAST: Barrie v Terry Sky Live: Saints v Warrington Have your say on RL rules WATCH: SL round 17 preview ' ' '