Cubs scratch RHP Darvish, 2B Kipnis with illness

Posted March 05, 2020 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish looks on before starting the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) The Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. (AP) - The Chicago Cubs scratched right-hander Yu Darvish and second baseman Jason Kipnis on Thursday because of illness.

In a series of tweets in Japanese, Darvish said he had a cough Wednesday and expressed reluctance about entering the clubhouse amid the coronavirus outbreak, but he then posted that he didn't have a fever or the flu.

Theo Epstein, the president of baseball operations for the Cubs, said he didn't have 'œfull information right now,'Å¥ but it was his understanding it was a daily illness. The team said later in the day that Darvish was feeling better and could work three innings as soon as Friday, possibly in a simulated game.

Kipnis was seen in the clubhouse before Chicago's 5-0 spring training loss to Texas.

The Cubs also scratched first baseman Anthony Rizzo due to a blister on his right middle finger.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish, of Japan, works against a Milwaukee Brewers batter during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) The Associated Press

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish is greeted in the dugout during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) The Associated Press

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