Yu Darvish to make Cubs spring debut Thursday in Mesa against Rockies

MESA, Ariz. — Get out the Yu Darvish welcome banners and No. 11 jerseys for the game Thursday at Sloan Park in Mesa. That’s when the $126 million newcomer to the rotation makes his Cubs spring debut, against the Rockies.

And he seems ready to go. Darvish threw 28 pitches in another impressive session throwing to Cubs hitters on a practice field Saturday, under the watchful eyes of top front-office officials, field staff and his agent, Joel Wolfe. His fastball topped out at 93 mph.

The Cubs’ projected five starters make their debuts starting Monday, when Tyler Chatwood pitches an inning or two against the Mariners.

Jon Lester starts Tuesday against the White Sox, and if he pitches every fifth day without altering his schedule, it would line him up for an opening-day start March 29 in Miami. That also would mean he’d skip the Brewers, a tough matchup for him, at the end of the opening road trip and he’d start the home opener.

Should we read into that?

“Of course you should because that’s what you guys do,” manager Joe Maddon told assembled media before pledging to divulge his opening-day decision early in the week.

But the starters will pitch every fifth day this spring?

“Sure,” Maddon said, smiling. “Yeah, they will.”

Other assignments this week: Kyle Hendricks starts Wednesday against the Athletics, and Jose Quintana goes Friday against the Angels. Sixth-starter Mike Montgomery follows Lester in the game against the Sox.