Darvish set to return to Rangers rotation Saturday at Cubs

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Yu Darvish is set to make his return to the Texas Rangers' rotation on Saturday.

The AL West leaders said Darvish threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list to start the second game of the team's weekend series at the Chicago Cubs.

Darvish has been on the disabled list since June 9 with shoulder discomfort.

The right-hander from Japan has made only three starts this season for the Rangers after missing all of the 2015 season because of Tommy John surgery.

After five rehab starts in May, Darvish made his season debut for Texas on May 28. He went 2-0 with a 2.87 ERA in three starts, but left his start against Houston on June 8 after only five innings. Darvish said after the game that tightness in his neck caused tightness in his shoulder.

Darvish cut short a bullpen session because of the same symptoms a few days later, and the Rangers skipped his next scheduled start before he was put on the 15-day DL. An MRI on his shoulder and neck showed no structural issues, and he has since made two more rehab starts for Double-A Frisco.