Chicago Cubs: Yu Darvish throws simulated game, could return soon
YuDarvish has been on the Chicago Cubs disabled list with triceps tendonitis since May 23rd. On Wednesday, he threw a simulated game at Wrigley Field, and his return could be just around the corner.
Yu Darvish’s start to his Chicago Cubs tenure really couldn’t have gone much worse than it has. He made eight starts for the Cubs, going 1-3 with a 3.95 ERA before hitting the disabled list on May 23rd. It’s not what Cubs fans expected of the 31-year-old when the Cubs signed him to a six-year deal worth $126 million.
Darvish threw 51 pitches in his simulated game at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. His performance earned praise from his manager Joe Maddon and front office executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.
Not too long ago, it looked like Darvish might not pitch until after the All-Star break. But now, the Chicago Tribune is reporting Darvish could start his rehab stint as soon as Monday. Darvish is expected to throw up to 65 pitches in his first rehab start.
A better version of Darvish may return
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It isn’t much of a stretch of the imagination to think that a lot of Darvish’s struggles were mental. Maybe he was feeling the pressure that comes with signing a $126 million deal, or still hung up on his World Series struggles. Some rumors made it seem like Darvish believed he’d already lost Cubs fans.
While recovering from injury isn’t exactly a vacation on the beach, Darvish did have the chance to get away from the noise and lights. A more confident and comfortable Darvish could return to the mound for the Cubs when the times comes.
Additionally, we don’t know whether or not the injury that eventually will lead him to the DL had been bugging Darvish before it took him out of play. Athletes are competitive.
For better or for worse (probably for worse) they try to play through injury all the time. And with Darvish already struggling early, it could make sense that he didn’t want to disappoint fans anymore by missing starts.
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Yu Darvish’s return finally seems near. Chicago Cubs fans have reason to hope for a better version of Darvish than they saw in his first eight starts of 2018.