Cubs RHP Darvish nearing rehab stint

Chicago Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish threw a simulated game at Wrigley Field on Tuesday and is nearing the start of a rehab assignment, team president Theo Epstein told reporters.

Darvish threw roughly 50 pitches over his three simulated innings. He has been on the disabled list since May 23 with right triceps tendinitis.

"It was good," Epstein said of Darvish's showing. "He was competing out there and spinning the ball really well. Maybe his best spin of the year. Seems like he's about ready for the next step, which would be rehab games."

Darvish experienced a setback during a throwing session in June that has further delayed his return. He threw a two-inning simulated game last week without experiencing any pain.

"It's been a long road back," Epstein said. "There is no point in rushing it. We probably have one chance, given where we are in the calendar, to get this right. That's the priority."

Darvish, who turns 32 on Thursday, is 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight starts this season, his first with the Cubs. He is 57-45 with a 3.49 ERA during his six-year MLB career, pitching for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cubs.

Darvish is in the first season of a six-year, $126 million contracts with Chicago.

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