ANAHEIM, Calif. - The final steps of Yu Darvish's road back from Tommy John surgery come into focus.

Darvish will start throwing to hitters this coming week for the first time in 13 months, could begin a rehab assignment in the minors in about two weeks and, to jump completely ahead, could be back in the majors somewhere between May 20-26. The Rangers open a series at Houston on May 20.

"It's time to turn him loose a little," pitching coach Doug Brocail said after getting the report on Darvish's 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday. "He's out of the stable and we've got to let him run a little."

Darvish threw 50 pitches Saturday in two 25-pitch "innings." It was the second time this week he's thrown 50 pitches. He will throw to hitters Wednesday, take three days off an repeat. If that goes well, his last live batting practice session could be April 21. Double-A Frisco begins an eight-game homestand on April 25.

Brocail also added he is hoping for Darvish to throw three innings in his first rehab start rather than take a typical spring training approach and throw 30 pitches or two innings. According to Brocail's tentative plan, Darvish could pitch three innings in each of his first two rehab starts, then go to four innings, five innings twice and finally six.

"I don't feel we should go backwards," Brocail said. "It's all subject to change, but if all goes well, we're going to try and stay on schedule."

Brocail wants to see Darvish throw more fastballs during the rehab starts. That could be essential, Brocail said, to Darvish making the most of his outings whenever he does return to the roster. Darvish will be on a pitch count, making it all the more imperative for him to get outs as quickly as possible to allow him to go deeper into games.

"I'm asking him to trust it for outs," Brocail said. "It's good. I want him to trust it so he doesn't have to go as deep in counts. He uses his fastball; he just doesn't use it in the zone as much as I'd like. The more he can use it, the fewer pitches he will throw. When you are on a pitchg count, you get quick outs and pitch longer or you can throw 100 pitches in five innings and be done."