Injury-hit Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters ace Yu Darvish is expected to remain sidelined in the Japan Series even if the team reaches the biggest stage in Japanese baseball.
"His condition is basically unchanged. It's virtually impossible for him to pitch in the series, but he is working hard to take the ball," Fighters chief trainer Seiichiro Nakagaki said Friday.
On Friday, Darvish, still nursing a sore back, threw his first bullpen session in about three weeks, with a catcher standing up.
The 15-game winner last started on Sept. 20 during the regular season when he walked seven batters and allowed two runs in five innings in a no-decision against the Orix Buffaloes.
Darvish has not pitched at full strength since then.
"He won't be able to pitch in the Japan Series unless he makes miraculous recovery," said pitching coach Masato Yoshii.