After playing catch multiple times over the past week, injured Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish (right tricep inflammation) threw his first bullpen session today, and it apparently went well:
#Cubs Darvish threw about 31 pitches in bullpen
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) June 12, 2018
Darvish threw a bullpen today. Fared well. To be evaluated tomorrow AM before determining next throwing day. Hopes to return before AS break.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) June 12, 2018
According to multiple reports on Twitter, Darvish threw about 31 pitches today and “fared well,” throughout, which I’m taking to mean felt well. Of course, as Brett mentioned earlier and as Gordon Wittenmyer now hints, how Darvish feels *tomorrow* is going to be of greater importance to his return.
Indeed, even if he feels great today and tomorrow and so on, a return before the All-Star break feels unlikely. As Brett put it earlier, “Mathematically, given that he’d throw a time or two more in the bullpen before heading out on a rehab assignment, and then would likely make at least two rehab appearances before the Cubs would consider bringing him back, it’s unlikely he’ll return before the All-Star break.”
And to be sure, even the reports on his potential comeback are a little vague and contradicting:
Yu Darvish (triceps) spoke to reporters for the first time since going on the DL and after throwing his first bullpen session since the injury. He says he's pain free but will assess day to day. He's not sure if he'll be back before or after the all… https://t.co/UZKFSmhZ3g
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) June 12, 2018
#Cubs Yu Darvish said he hasn’t ruled out pitching/returning before the All-Star break. Said his bullpen session went well today @cbschicago
— Megan Mawicke (@MeganMawicke) June 12, 2018
Frankly, like Brett, I’d be surprised if the Cubs didn’t take it slowly – especially if Mike Montgomery is continuing to pitch well – because there’s just not that much to be gain by squeezing out one extra start before the break.
But that’s all sorta besides the point. For now, let’s just be happy that Darvish made his first bullpen session and that it went off without a hitch. That was always step one and it was apparently a successful step. So, you know … HOORAY.