SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Chicago Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish pitched five sharp innings in a minor league rehabilitation start Monday night and soon could be back in the majors.
Darvish allowed one run and three hits for South Bend in the Class A Midwest League. The Japanese ace struck out five, walked none and threw 57 pitches, 41 for strikes.
Darvish has not pitched in the majors since May 20 because of triceps tendinitis in his right arm.
"He could be back by the end of the week," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before a game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.