Yu Darvish will make a rehab start this Sunday in South Bend. (File photo by Mike Deak)

SOUTH BEND – As reported by multiple sources, it is expected that Yu Darvish will be assigned to the South Bend Cubs for a rehabilitation assignment on Sunday when South Bend hosts the Great Lakes Loons.

This rehab start will be the second time this season that Darvish will pitch with the South Bend Cubs. In a previous rehab start on June 25, Darvish dazzled in five innings and struck out five West Michigan Whitecap batters. The highlight of the start came on a 62 MPH eephus curveball strikeout pitch.

Darvish last played for the Chicago Cubs on May 20. In that outing, he went six innings giving up one run off two hits and struck out seven batters to pick up his first win of the season. In eight starts, Darvish is 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA.

This is the fifth rehab assignment since South Bend became a Chicago Cubs affiliate. Dexter Fowler had a one game assignment July 8, 2016 while Jason Heyward had two stints in 2017. Darvish now returns for his second appearance.