San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) will not be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season due to right-elbow inflammation, manager Mike Shildt confirmed on Friday. There is no timetable for Darvish's return. "We feel pretty comfortable that some rest and getting ramped back up will be the answer," Shildt said. Without a clear timeline for a potential return, we wouldn't blame fantasy managers for avoiding the 38-year-old Japanese veteran in upcoming drafts. He was also limited to only 16 starts in 2024 due to an elbow injury and a personal matter, so surgery on his elbow shouldn't be ruled out at this point. Darvish looked great down the stretch when he returned late last year, though, including two postseason appearances. Now that Darvish will officially open the year on the injured list, lefty Kyle Hart and right-hander Stephen Kolek are competing for the No. 5 rotation spot in SD.
Although San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) played catch in camp on Tuesday, manager Mike Shildt revealed that Darvish experienced elbow inflammation after his last Cactus League start. The Padres are calling Darvis day-to-day right now, but Shildt couldn't rule out the injury affecting the start of Darvish's 2025 season. The Padres attributed fatigue to the 38-year-old Japanese pitcher missing his scheduled spring start on Tuesday, but now we know he's dealing with an elbow issue that could land him on the injured list to begin the season. We wouldn't blame fantasy managers from wanting to avoid an aging pitcher dealing with an elbow issue that could put the start of his season in peril. If Darvish is not able to open the year in the Friars' starting rotation, either Stephen Kolek or Kyle Hart would be candidates to replace him.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (fatigue) will have his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday pushed back for a day or two. That being said, Darvish won't take the mound for Tuesday's scheduled start. Right now, the Padres aren't too concerned and will just give Darvish some time to rest. The injury bug continues to hold back the right-hander who hasn't made 30 starts in a single season since 2022. It doesn't sound like the team is discussing placing Darvish on the injured list. For now, Darvish should be considered as day-to-day until the team re-evaluates the situation in a few days.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish is not expected to make his Cactus League debut until early March. Darvish has participated in a simulated game and in an intrasquad game. The 38-year-old is not dealing with any injuries and is instead taking his time, as this is his first full build-up in several seasons. In 2022, spring training was delayed due to the lockout, and in 2023 and 2024, Darvish pitched in competitive games earlier than normal with the World Baseball Classic and last year's season-opening series in Korea. Darvish noted that he felt good after his simulated game which is a promising sign. Fantasy managers should continue to expect the 38-year-old to slowly increase his workload. Last season, he logged 81 2/3 innings with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He is expected to be the third option in the San Diego rotation behind Dylan Cease and Michael King.
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish is listed as the probable starter for the Friars for Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. SD will go with ace Dylan Cease in Game 1 of the series on Saturday. Darvish will be opposed by fellow Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Padres will be hoping Darvish can step up with Joe Musgrove (elbow) potentially done for the remainder of the postseason. The 38-year-old Japanese hurler missed time due to injury and was away from the team for a while in 2024 due to personal issues, so he only started 16 games during the regular season, going 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings. In his three starts versus the Dodgers this year, Darvish allowed four runs (three earned) while striking out 12 and walking six in 15 2/3 innings. He had a 3.55 ERA, 25 K's and seven walks in five starts to close out the year after.
Yu Darvish Heading To Bullpen For Wild-Card Series
The San Diego Padres will roll with right-handers Michael King, Joe Musgrove and Dylan Cease as their starting pitchers for the wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park, which starts on Tuesday. Right-handed veteran Yu Darvish will head to the bullpen for the three-game set. It doesn't come as a huge surprise, as Darvish didn't exactly look sharp in his last outing in Arizona, allowing three earned runs on three walks and four K's in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The 38-year-old Japanese hurler only made 16 starts for the Friars in 2024 due to injuries and a personal issue that kept him away from the club for an extended period of time. Since returning on Sept. 4, Darvish went 3-0 with a 3.55 ERA, seven walks and 25 K's in 25 1/3 innings over five starts. If the Padres advance to the National League Division Series, Darvish could return to a starting role.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish was impressive on the mound during Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The veteran right-hander pitched well his last two times out and had the good times rolling again on Sunday. Darvish pitched 6 1/3 innings allowing two earned runs and striking out nine batters along the way. He basically made two mistakes which were two solo home runs by Korey Lee and Miguel Vargas. Darvish has been limited to 15 starts this season due to injuries, but looks to finish the regular season strong against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his final matchup.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) was activated off the injured list earlier on Wednesday and is slated to start this evening against the Detroit Tigers. It has been a long recovery process for the 38-year-old as he has not taken a major league mound since late May due to elbow inflammation. However, despite the lengthy timetable, Darvish did not embark on a rehab assignment, which could suggest he may face a minor pitch limit through his first handful of starts. Before the injury, Darvish held a 3.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 15:53 BB:K ratio across 56 innings of work. Darvish should be rostered in all leagues down the stretch and should be started in all formats this evening against the Tigers, who hold a high 24.3% K rate against right-handers this summer.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (groin) is scheduled to take the mound and throw a bullpen session on Monday. Darvish appears to be on the verge of returning to the mound after being sidelined since late May. The 38-year-old is expected to come off the injured list and start against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. It will be his first start in months, which means Darvish is likely going to be limited during his first game back. The right-hander holds a 3.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 53/15 K/BB ratio across 11 starts this season. He should be a viable fantasy option for managers in need of starting pitching down the stretch of the season. UPDATE: Manager Mike Shildt confirmed on Monday that Darvish will start on Wednesday.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) threw 66 pitches in a controlled minor-league game on Friday evening. Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reported that the 38-year-old felt well after the session. However, his next steps still have yet to be determined. Darvish has been sidelined since June with elbow inflammation. However, seeing that he is ramping up his pitch count without seeing any setbacks is a great sign. Before the injury, Darvish held a solid 3.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, with a 15:53 BB:K ratio across 56 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Darvish on an IL spot if they have the room, as he could be nearing a potential return to the major leagues.