Darvish was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Rangers due to flu-like symptoms, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs also scratched second baseman Jason Kipnis due to a case of the flu, so a bug may be passing around the clubhouse. Though Darvish will miss out on a spring start against one of his former teams, the illness isn't expected to keep him out of camp for more than a few days.

Darvish, who is slated to make his spring training debut Saturday, is a likely candidate to start Opening Day, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Darvish pitches in a Cactus League game Saturday, he'll line up well for the March 26 opener in Milwaukee. The Japanese righty struggled early in 2019 but finished the season with a flourish, and he could be ready to truly serve as the ace the Cubs thought they were getting when they doled out $126 million a few years ago, assuming he stays healthy.

Darvish said he feels healthier this spring compared to last year, when he was dealing with a triceps issue, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish's 2019 stats support his claim that he wasn't fully healthy to begin the season, as he had an ERA above 5.00 in each of the first two months of the campaign. The Japanese righty looked a little bit better in June but really took off in July with a 2.93 ERA across 30.2 innings. Darvish finished the year with an overall 3.98 ERA and 229 strikeouts across 178.2 innings.

Darvish will not opt out of his contract and will remain with the Cubs in 2020, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old posted a 0.81 WHIP with a 118:7 K:BB in 81.2 innings pitched over the second half of last season, but won't test free agency in the offseason. If Darvish can continue to limit the number of walks allowed, he could be a big difference maker again in the Cubs' 2020 rotation.

Darvish will not make another start this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs will shut down both Darvish and Kyle Hendricks with no chance left at making the playoffs. Darvish finished his sophomore season with the Cubs 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 229 strikeouts in 178.2 innings (31 starts). Alec Mills is starting in his place Friday against the Cardinals.

Darvish (6-8) allowed three runs on seven hits over 8.1 innings Sunday, striking out 12 and taking the loss against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish entered the ninth inning holding a 2-1 lead but quickly allowed two runs and was hit with a tough loss while the Cubs have almost vanished in the Wild Card race. On the bright side, he owns an insane 124:7 K:BB over his last 14 starts. The 33-year-old will carry a 3.98 ERA in Saturday's rematch in St. Louis.

Darvish (6-7) allowed four runs over seven innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Reds. He gave up six hits and a walk, while striking out 13.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish perhaps deserved a better fate on a night in which he had dominant stuff, but he allowed three runs in the first inning and then was outdueled by Cincinnati starter Sonny Gray, who combined with two relievers to hold the Cubs to two runs. Darvish has now struck out 27 batters across 13 innings in his last two starts. He'll look to keep mowing batters down in a pivotal matchup Sunday against the division-leading Cardinals.

Darvish (6-6) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out 14 across six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish showed off electric stuff in six shutout frames, generating 23 called strikes and 19 swinging strikes to stymie the Padres bats. He allowed only one extra-base hit -- a triple to lead off the sixth inning -- accounting for one of only two runners he allowed to reach scoring position. Darvish has now allowed zero or one earned run in four of his last five starts, lowering his ERA below 4.00 for the first time this season. He's scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against Cincinnati.

Darvish tossed five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Saturday. He allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs announced before the game that Darvish would likely have a reduced workload after he was scratched from his previous start due to forearm tightness. Sure enough, the righty was pulled after throwing 72 pitches despite dominating the Brewers through five innings. While Darvish was unable to snag his sixth win of the year, it was good to see him look sharp in his return to the mound. He'll aim to go a bit deeper into the game his next time out Thursday against the Padres.

Darvish remains on track to start Saturday against the Brewers, but the Cubs may be conservative with his workload, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. "You never want to go out and push him to eight innings after skipping a start, not to say he couldn't do it," pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said Thursday. "Just be smart about where he's at and the workload."

EDGE Analysis

Darvish threw a 29-pitch bullpen session without any discomfort Thursday, clearing the way for his return after he was scratched last weekend with right forearm tightness. The Cubs are well aware that the innings are adding up for Darvish; he's already up more than 100 additional innings from 2018. "If there's an opportunity to get him out of there sooner in a situation, it would be great," Hottovy added. "To buy some extra innings down the stretch if we're going to need it."