Darvish (triceps) is expected to embark on a rehab assignment Monday if all goes according to plan during his bullpen session prior to Friday's game against Cincinnati, Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish threw a pain-free 50-pitch simulated game Wednesday and will ramp up his efforts in the days to come as he continues to work back from a triceps injury. The right-hander is expected to require just the one rehab outing, so he could be back in action with the Cubs next weekend.

Darvish threw a 50-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. "It was good," President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said afterwards.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish was able to throw all of his pitches and reported no issues afterwards. The Cubs are expected to wait and see how the right-hander feels Thursday before determining the next step in his rehab, which will either be another simulated outing or a minor-league rehab start.

Darvish (triceps) will throw a simulated game Wednesday instead of Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

There haven't been any reports of a setback. The Cubs had Monday's game rained out and rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon during the time in which Darvish was expected to throw, so it's possible that's the reason his workout was pushed back. His return timeline is still not entirely clear.

Darvish (triceps) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

If all goes well, Darvish is slated to take another step forward in his recovery process, although he'll likely be on the shelf for at least a few more weeks. He tossed a bullpen session June 12 and felt good afterwards, but the next test will be to face live hitting.

Darvish (triceps) felt good after his bullpen session Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's good news that Darvish didn't have any issues, though his return timeline remains unclear, even to his team. Manager Joe Maddon said, "The next step is to map out the next moment." Maddon acknowledged over the weekend that Darvish could be out until after the All-Star break, but if he keeps progressing in his rehab without any issues, he could certainly beat that timeline.

Darvish (triceps) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish hit the disabled list in late May with triceps tendonitis, his second trip of the season. He has been making progress in his rehab, though it's still possible that he doesn't return until after the All-Star break.

Darvish (triceps) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish has been playing catch off flat ground with no issues recently, clearing the way for him to resume mound work for the first time since landing on the disabled list with triceps tendinitis near the end of May. The 31-year-old remains without a timetable for his return at this point, but over the weekend manager Joe Maddon acknowledged the possibility that Darvish might not return from the DL until after the All-Star break. How Darvish responds to Tuesday's session will hopefully shed some light on his possible return timetable.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon acknowledged the possibility Sunday that Darvish (triceps) might not return from the 10-day disabled list until after the All-Star break, Matthew Martell of MLB.com reports. "I think we'll know more by the end of this coming week exactly what we think about hopefully being able to lay out a plan about getting [Darvish] back," Maddon said. "But we're not at that point yet."

EDGE Analysis

Darvish has progressed to playing catch off flat ground over the last several days, but the Cubs have been reluctant to issue a specific timetable for the right-hander's reinstatement from his second DL stint of the season. While Darvish's MRI revealed no structural damage to his throwing arm when he was placed on the DL in late May, the Cubs understandably want to take a cautious approach with the 31-year-old, given the organization's six-year, $126 million investment. Darvish's hazy return timeline coupled with his disappointing numbers this season (1-3, 4.95 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 40 innings) could be enough for fantasy owners in the shallowest of leagues to cut bait in pursuit of a healthier, more effective pitcher.

Darvish (triceps) played catch again Saturday and was able to increase his throwing distance for the first time since landing on the DL in late May, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish has yet to work from the mound, but he appears to be closing in on throwing off a raised surface after spending most of this week playing catch. Look for an update from manager Joe Maddon on Darvish's status later on this weekend.

Darvish (triceps) played catch in the outfield prior to Wednesday's game, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This marks the second day in a row that Darvish was able to play catch, though manager Joe Maddon admitted that there is still no timetable for the right-hander's return. Look for the Cubs to narrow in on a target date for his return once he's able to progress a little further.