Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) threw a 45-pitch simulated game on Tuesday and could start a rehab assignment on Wednesday if he feels well. He's been very slow to recover and has been out since May 20. He hadn't performed up to expectations before his injury, going 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 40 innings. He's nearing a return, though, and Darvish could push a fantasy team over the top to close out the year if he can return to his previous form.

Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish (elbow) is still trying to return from the injury that put him on the disabled list way back on May 23. Darvish will throw a live batting session on Sunday, which is another step in the right direction, but the veteran is still weeks away from returning to the team. It has been a long process for Darvish, but fantasy owners should be able to get him back into their rotations around the end of August if all goes well.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (biceps) threw around 31 pitches in a two-inning simulated game on Wednesday. He has not pitched in a game for the Cubs since May 20 due to right biceps tendinitis. Darvish wasn't pitching well before his injury either, going 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in eight starts. It looks like he's getting closer to a rehab assignment, though, so the Japanese righty could rejoin the rotation before the end of the month.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) will throw a simulated game on Wednesday. Darvish is inching closer to being able to go on a rehab assignment. He's been a bust for fantasy owners and the Cubs in his first year in Chicago, going 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 40 innings. If healthy, though, he could make a difference for fantasy teams to close out the year.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (back, elbow) threw a 55-pitch bullpen session on Saturday and felt good. He said his arm issue turned into a back issue two weeks ago, but that everything is OK now. It appears that Darvish is getting close to going on a rehab assignment, where he'll need a handful of starts before rejoining the rotation. The Japanese right-hander has been out since May 20 and has a disappointing 4.95 ERA, 1.43 [...]

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday and included all of his pitches. It's the first time he hasn't felt pain. "I'm really excited," Darvish said. It's progress for Darvish, but he still must progress to a minor league rehab assignment. Either way, there is a light at the end of the tunnel now. The Japanese right-hander has been a disappointment for the Cubs and fantasy owners in his first year in Chicago, but he must remain stashed everyw[...]

The MLB Trade Deadline is one of the most exciting parts of the baseball season. Contenders get to bolster their rosters for the playoff push while rebuilding clubs get to add potential studs to their growing farm system. With players such Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Mike Moustakas and many others already moved, teams around the league have kicked the trade deadline off early. While the deadline is used as an opportunity for clubs to improve their team in the present and future, it could hav[...]

It did not feel like we would ever get here, but finally, Cole Hamels was traded from the Texas Rangers. Very little in baseball has been more up and down than Hamels' performances this season. However, the Rangers finally found a trade partner in the Chicago Cubs, who were willing to give them the return they desired. The Rangers traded Hamels and cash considerations for right-handed pitchers Eddie Butler and Rollie Lacy as well as a player to be named later. The Chicago Cubs rotation now b[...]

The moves continue to trickle in. Zach Britton is heading to the Bronx, where he figures to have zero fantasy value as the team's sixth-best reliever (if he proves he's healthy). Brad Brach got the first save opportunity in Baltimore after Britton left, but the team has a bunch of arms who could receive ninth inning consideration or get traded. You probably shouldn't make a significant investment in any of them until the situation sorts itself out. The Red Sox also acquired Nathan Eovaldi fro[...]