Yu Darvish is expecting to return Saturday. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Texas Rangers will receive a boost to their ailing pitching staff on Saturday when they send right-hander Yu Darvish to the mound against the Chicago Cubs.
Darvish reported no issue with Wednesday’s bullpen session and is line to make his return after being sidelined since June 9 with discomfort in his right shoulder.
The 29-year-old Japanese star owns a 2-0 mark with a 2.87 ERA in three starts after missing 14 months while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Darvish is coming off a pair of productive rehab outings, including Monday’s performance in which he went five innings.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Darvish will be limited to approximately 90 pitches in his return.
Texas (54-36), which holds a 5 1/2-game lead over second-place Houston in the American League West, has seen its pitching rotation bitten by the injury bug. Starters Derek Holland (shoulder) and Colby Lewis (lat) currently are on the disabled list along with Darvish.
