SURPRISE, Ariz. - During a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, right-hander Yu Darvish threw a handful of split-finger fastballs. He wasn't simply fooling around. He intends to incorporate the pitch back into his repertoire.

Darvish threw the split-finger pitch about 5 percent of the time before Tommy John surgery. He attempted to throw a couple after his return last year, but pitching coach Doug Brocail shot down the idea. The splitter can cause extra stress on the elbow. Brocail, whose major league pitching career was interrupted by two Tommy John surgeries, is more comfortable with it this time around.

"I was kind of astonished when he threw it," Brocail said. "I waited a long time after my Tommy John surgery before I threw it again, but I don't have his delivery. He throws it correctly and uses a bit of his wrist so not all of the pressure is on his elbow in that pulling-down motion. It's a little looser. And this guy, if there is any chance of hurting himself, he's not going to throw it. I'm comfortable with it."

Briefly: The Rangers signed C A.J. Jimenez to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. Jimenez, released by Toronto earlier in the week, gives the club more minor league depth options. Jimenez, 26, has spent parts of the last four seasons at Triple-A but has never reached the majors. ... SS Elvis Andrus was to arrive in Surprise on Friday and will be the last player to report. Andrus is returning from surgery to repair a sports hernia and will be brought along slowly this spring, but he's expected to be ready for opening day.