Chicago Cubs: You can stop worrying about Yu Darvish now

I know it’s embedded in our bloodstream as Chicago Cubs fans – well, at least it seems as much on social media – but can we calm down about Yu Darvish’s blister?

That’s right, I said it. I get the false sense of security considering the Chicago Cubs’ Yu Darvish made multiple minor league rehab starts last season that never led him back to a Cubs uniform, but I think fans are jumping to conclusions in this instance.

A Spring Training game in 2016 saw Jake Arrieta leave a game because of a blister. Then what happened? Oh right.

If you only heard about him leaving the game but not the reason why it’s been confirmed by the Cubs that it’s a right finger blister. He’s still scheduled for his bullpen session Friday and a start on Sunday.

Before leaving the game, Darvish was impressive, striking out six batters in 4 2/3 innings. This spring he has compiled 14 strikeouts to nine walks — four of the nine coming in his first start this spring.

This is the best news we could hear in this situation. Don’t worry though, I know most of Cubs fandom online will find a reason to think the world is ending. That’s fine; I just choose not to think that way considering what I (and most) have seen in my lifetime from the Northsiders.

Cubs beat reporters Sahadev Sharma and Jordan Bastian indicated Darvish left with positive body language, meaning from our standpoint, it was probably just a precaution. He later stated to the media that he left due to precautionary reasons.

Darvish to Jordan Bastian: “I don’t want to hurt my elbow or shoulder,” said Darvish, who was worried he might compensate for the finger discomfort if he kept pitching. “That’s why I said, ‘I don’t want to throw.'”

Good vibes all around. Darvish has been steady this spring, consistently showing his velocity and staying healthy. He showed command struggles early on with his fastball but has got better with each appearance.

At this point, that’s all you can ask from him. Expectations should and will rise once the Cubs open against the Texas Rangers next week, but Darvish has done his part in trying to show he’s committed to a strong 2019 campaign.

While the Cubs already seem to have hit the injury bug with Pedro Strop, Darvish is the last person the Cubs need to get seriously injured, but again, there’s no real reason to panic in this situation.