DENVER -- The Padres could be getting one of their most important arms back just in time for one of the toughest stretches on their schedule.
Yu Darvish hasn’t pitched this season as he works his way back from right elbow inflammation that sidelined him during Spring Training. But he took a major step toward a return on Thursday, throwing 48 pitches across three simulated innings at the Padres’ spring complex in Peoria, Ariz.
It was the first time Darvish has faced hitters and could line him up for a rehab stint and a relatively quick progression toward a return. Manager Mike Shildt on Friday wouldn’t put a timeline on that return but noted that Darvish is “definitely getting closer.”
Shildt did divulge that, given Darvish’s wealth of experience, he could be fast-tracked to the rotation, even if it means early limitations on his innings and pitch counts.
“I don’t think [there will be] much [buildup],” Shildt said, touting Darvish’s past credentials between the Majors and Japan. “I think we’re going to trust a guy that’s got 200 professional wins and 3,000 strikeouts.”
The likeliest progression for Darvish would be starts in which he builds his pitch count around 65 pitches, then 80. It’s unclear where, exactly, Darvish would make those starts. Shildt noted that the Padres will map out that plan in the coming days, as Darvish throws his next bullpen.
That could put a potential return for Darvish sometime around late May. Beginning May 30, the Padres will embark on a stretch of 26 games in 27 days, including two series against the division-rival Dodgers and one apiece against the Giants and Diamondbacks.
Darvish was shut down in mid-March during his spring buildup. He has been throwing bullpen sessions, increasing in intensity, for several weeks. Thursday marked the first time he pitched in any sort of game-like setting.
“Velocity was really good, and he must’ve really felt good when he left,” Shildt said. “We’ll talk to him tomorrow and figure out what the next steps are.”
Meanwhile, the Padres remain optimistic that fellow right-hander Dylan Cease won’t be joining Darvish on the IL. Cease exited his start Wednesday with what he called “a freak cramp” in his right forearm. He passed numerous tests in the aftermath and played light catch on Friday -- the same thing he does at this stage of all his between-starts progressions.
“I’ve never had that before, so I didn’t really know what to expect,” Cease said afterward. “But no pain, no cramping, not anything. I think it’s fine.”