Yu Darvish, who has been on the disabled list due to right triceps tendinitis, threw five strong innings in a minor league rehabilitation start on Monday.
Facing the West Michigan Whitecaps, Darvish allowed one run and three hits while striking out five for the Class A South Bend Cubs in his first mound appearance since May 20, when he worked six innings against the Cincinnati Reds and got his first win with the Chicago Cubs.
"The results are good but I'm not in perfect condition," Darvish said.
"It's day by day. It's not like there's nothing there (in the triceps)."
On Monday night, Darvish retired the side in order in the opening inning and got three strikeouts in the second. He gave up a solo homer to Joey Morgan in the third but walked none in a 57-pitch outing.
Darvish said he is scheduled to rejoin his teammates in Los Angeles Monday, have a few throwing sessions and see how he feels when the team flies back to Chicago this weekend. He is 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight games this season for the Cubs.