Chicago Cubs' Yu Darvish leaves second rehab start in South Bend early

SOUTH BEND, Ind -- Around seven thousand fans of the South Bend Cubs had the opportunity to watch Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish play in his second rehab start at Four Winds Field. 

South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart says that this opportunity is special for the organization and the community. “A lot of these people here may never make it to Wrigley field to see a Yu Darvish pitch, and right here they can do it in their own home town.”

Today was Darvish’s second time sporting a South Bend jersey, but it was the fifth rehab assignment the Single-A ball park since South Bend became a Chicago Cubs affiliate.

“It’s extremely exciting for our organization and really the community, when you can get a major league player to come down at a minor league setting. We’re at a smaller ball parks, it’s a great opportunity,” Hart said.

Normally watching from Wrigley, Mike Nonos drove to South Bend just to see Darvish in action.

“I specifically came to see him up close,” Nonos said.

But Nonos and many other fans excited to see the MLB Star, became quickly disappointed.

While warming up for the second inning, Darvish felt something wasn’t right.

“Last time, even though I did feel the same thing, I kept continuing to throw. So this time I just stopped it here,” explained Darvish.

“I drove an hour and a half just to get here to watch one inning of Yu Darvish,” Nonos said laughing.

Fans aren’t the only ones feeling left down.

“I feel the most disappointed in myself out of everyone in the world I think,” Darvish explained.

“A lot of those major league guys will never play in a small venue like this, especially here in South Bend. To be able to get him, even if it was for just a little bit, we’ll certainly take it,” said Hart.

The Cubs defeated the Great Lakes Loons 3-0.

Darvish’s next step is an MRI that he already requested.