Darvish (shoulder) threw a 46-pitch simulated game Wednesday and the next step could be a rehab assignment, the Fort Worth Star Telegram's Jeff Wilson reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail said it will be important to see if Darvish reports any soreness Thursday. If everything checks out, he could head out on a rehab assignment, making his first rehab start either Monday or Tuesday. He will be capped at four innings or 60 pitches in his next outing. The Rangers are hedging as to whether Darvish will need one or two rehab starts. They have said he could return to the rotation even if he was only capable of giving them 75-80 pitches, but there's also talk that he won't be back until after the All-Star break, which would point to two rehab starts.