MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- After a strong four-inning simulated game Friday, Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish is tracking toward taking the ball against his former team in Chicago's second game of the season, which comes at Texas on March 30.
After making just eight starts due to injury in 2018, Darvish underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure in his throwing elbow in September to clean up loose bodies. He felt good against minor league players Friday, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out three and throwing to catcher Willson Contreras. It was Darvish's third outing of the spring.
""It was pretty good," he said. "The fastball was sharp. I had command. The slider was good too. It was all pretty good."
Darvish, 32, is pleased with his progress and comfort as he builds toward the new season.
"I am in a better place than where I was last winter," he said. "All I am concerned with is recovery. I just want to stay healthy and build more muscle, just focus on more recovery."
Darvish compared how now to last March, which was before he suffered his elbow ailment.
"Last year I felt stronger," he said. "That is only because I am still in rehab now. Still, at that time, I didn't feel any power in my body. I had 95-96 mph last year, but I did not feel the power on the ball. That is the main difference. Now if I throw 92-93, I feel I can dominate the hitter."
Darvish joked that he'd like to hit former teammates Joey Gallo and Rougned Odor when the Cubs play at the Rangers in their first series of the season. All kidding aside, it will be Wrigley Field where Darvish really wants to step up, as he wants to prove himself to the home crowd. Darvish admitted that living up to his six-year, $126-million deal weighed on him heavily in 2018, when he was 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA.
"I said I didn't feel the pressure -- definitely, I was feeling the pressure," Darvish admitted. "I wanted to show the fans, media and my teammates how good I am. That was the hard part.
"I was a Cubs player last year, but I was a new guy. I didn't know (Anthony) Rizzo or Kris Bryant. I felt like it was an All-Star game. Now I feel like real teammates. This year I don't want to hear 'boo' anymore. I want to hear Yu."
The Cubs have already named left-hander Jon Lester their Opening Day starter on March 28. Manager Joe Maddon wouldn't commit Friday to Darvish pitching in the season-opening three-game series against the Rangers, but it's clear Darvish wants the ball.
"I thought overall it was a really positive day for him," Maddon said. "He has almost been like a different person this year. He knows us all better. His self-confidence level seems to be soaring right now. He is healthy and more familiar with everyone now. All of that is pointing in the right direction for him."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
