Yu Darvish scratched from Thursday’s start for Cubs because of stomach bug

MESA, Ariz. — The much anticipated Cubs debut of $126 million pitcher Yu Darvish was sidetracked Thursday by flu-like symptoms the right-hander has dealt with on and off for much of the past week.

Darvish was scratched from Thursday’s scheduled start against the Rockies and instead threw two simulated innings in the bullpen. The Cubs say he will return to the game schedule in five days to pitch Tuesday against the Dodgers — his former team.

“I’m getting better,” said Darvish, whose latest bout hit Wednesday, when he was unable to hold down food all day. “I feel good [Thursday]. This is just [precautionary], just because it’s spring training.

“So no worries.”

He threw 35 pitches in the bullpen session and also took batting practice later. He said if this were the regular season he would have made his scheduled start.

“We had a nice conversation,” manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s just about dehydration. That’s our only concern.”

Right-hander Alec Mills started Thursday in Darvish’s

The lineup vs. Rockies (Sloan Park in Mesa):

• CF Ian Happ
• LF Kyle Schwarber
• C Willson Contreras
• 3B Tommy La Stella
• DH Victor Caratini
• 1B Efren Navarro
• RF Mark Zagunis
• 2B Mike Freeman
• SS Chesny Young
• (RHP Alec Mills)

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