Cubs’ Darvish has setback in bullpen session
LOS ANGELES » Yu Darvish won’t be rejoining the Chicago Cubs’ rotation this weekend after sustaining a setback during a bullpen session on Thursday.
Manager Joe Maddon says the Japanese right-hander felt pain in his right arm.
“It didn’t go well,” Maddon said. “He still felt pain on extension. He wasn’t able to cut it loose.”
Darvish will return to Chicago to be evaluated, and won’t pitch Saturday as scheduled. He’ll be replaced by Tyler Chatwood, who came off the paternity list.
Darvish said his strength and endurance was good after he played catch on Wednesday. He threw a five-inning, 57-pitch rehab start with Class A South Bend on Monday.
He’s been on the disabled list since May 26 because of tendinitis in his right triceps, his second DL stint this season. CHICAGO » Dave Sarachan’s contract as interim U.S. soccer coach has been extended through the end of the year by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The USSF said Wednesday it also had extended the contracts of assistant coaches Richie Williams and Matt Reis.
Sarachan was Bruce Arena’s top assistant and took over when Arena quit last October after the loss at Trinidad and Tobago eliminated the U.S. in World Cup qualifying, causing the Americans to miss their first World Cup since 1986.
The 64-year-old Sarachan has led the team to two wins (Paraguay and Bolivia), one loss (Ireland) and three ties (Portugal, Bosnia-Herzogovina and France). PIRAEUS, GREECE » Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt is joining European basketball powerhouse Olympiakos.
The Greek side says the 59-year-old Blatt has agreed on a two-year deal.
Blatt, who helped Russia become European champion in 2007, is quoted on Olympiakos’ site as saying, “It fills me with pride and motivation to do my utmost to give the club and its special fans the very best part of me.”
Blatt was unexpectedly hired by the Cavaliers in 2014 after winning the EuroLeague with ?accabi Tel Aviv. He was fired by the NBA side in January 2016.
Blatt also previously coached Aris, Dinamo Moscow, Anadolu Efes when it was known as Efes Pilsen, Benetton Treviso and Dinamo St. Petersburg. He was last in charge of Turkish side Darussafaka.