Yu Darvish to Throw Another Simulated Game on Friday
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) threw a simulated game last Saturday and is scheduled to throw another one on Friday, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. If Darvish comes out of Friday feeling good, a minor-league rehab assignment will likely follow. The 38-year-old Japanese veteran has yet to pitch in 2025 due to right-elbow inflammation, but he could be ready to rejoin the team's starting rotation just before or just after the mid-July All-Star break. Although Darvish is past his prime and might not have much left in the tank, he could still be useful as rotation depth in deeper fantasy leagues as well as a spot starter based on matchups. The five-time All-Star only made 16 starts in 2024 with the Friars due to injury and a personal issue, going 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while fanning 78 and walking 22 in 81 2/3 innings pitched.
The San Diego Padres announced on Monday that they transferred right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) to the 60-day injured list and selected the contract of outfielder Bryce Johnson from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. The Padres also optioned catcher Luis Campusano to El Paso. Darvish has been out all season while rehabbing a right-elbow injury. The 38-year-old was nearing a return in May but then had his minor-league rehab assignment paused when he developed soreness in his elbow. The good news for the Friars is that the Japanese hurler threw a simulated game on Saturday and could be cleared to go on a short rehab assignment again before potentially rejoining the team's starting rotation before the mid-July All-Star break. Darvish can offer rotation help in mixed fantasy leagues when he returns, but the five-time All-Star isn't the swing-and-miss pitcher he once was.
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) made his first minor-league rehab start on May 14 with Triple-A El Paso but experienced renewed soreness afterward and hasn't pitched in a game since. However, Darvish has been cleared to resume his ramp-up and played catch at Petco Park before Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, according to MLB.com AJ Cassavell. "He's in a good spot, and I saw a smile on his face," manager Mike Shildt said. "So he's making steps forward. We'll see where it goes." It's unclear exactly when the 38-year-old veteran might be able to make his 2025 MLB debut, though, after not appearing in game all year due to right-elbow inflammation. With right-hander Michael King (shoulder) also on the IL, left-hander Kyle Hart could stick around in SD's rotation for the time being.
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) is not ready to come off the injured list to make his 2025 debut in the big leagues after feeling tightness in his right elbow after his last minor-league rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on May 14, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. The good news is that Darvish continues to play catch after throwing 51 pitches over four innings in his only rehab start for the Chihuahuas. The Padres and Darvish aren't calling this a setback, but it's definitely concerning for a 38-year-old hurler that was only able to make 16 starts for the Friars in 2024 due to arm issues. Darvish is expected to be evaluated further this weekend, at which point we should have a better idea of whether he'll continue on with his rehab assignment or be shut down from throwing. A setback at this point of the year could put the rest of Darvish's season in jeopardy.
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) made his first minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso and worked four innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out four. Although Darvish was hit with the loss for the Chihuahuas against Triple-A Las Vegas, all in all, it was a solid first rehab outing for the 38-year-old veteran. He was sitting at 94.5 mph on the radar gun with his four-seam fastball as he works his way back from inflammation in his right elbow that he began experiencing in spring training in mid-March. Darvish is expected to need a couple more rehab outings before he's a candidate to come off the injured list, meaning he could make his 2025 debut for the Friars by the end of May. When healthy, the Japanese All-Star will be an option for the back end of fantasy rotations in mixed leagues.
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, manager Mike Shildt announced on Monday night. Darvish tossed 48 pitches during a simulated game last week and is now ready to face live hitters in a game environment as he works his way back from right-elbow inflammation that he first experienced in mid-March during spring training. The 38-year-old has yet to make his 2025 debut, and the Padres aren't going to rush the Japanese veteran back into their starting rotation, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't come off the injured list until sometime in late May or early June. The five-time All-Star is past his prime and in the twilight of his career, but he still offered fantasy managers a solid 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 16 starts last year, albeit with a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate.
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions and recently traveled to the team's spring training complex in Arizona, where he's expected to face live hitters for the first time on Thursday. Darvish is working his way back from right-elbow inflammation that has kept him out all season so far, but barring a setback as he builds up his arm, he could return to the Padres' starting rotation at some point this month. Since the 38-year-old Japanese veteran hasn't started a minor-league rehab assignment, his return probably won't come until late May, at the earliest. The five-time All-Star is no longer in his prime and also dealt with injuries that limited him to 16 starts in 2024, but when healthy, he still has fantasy value. Darvish went 7-3 for the Friars last year with a solid 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, but also with a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate and a 6.6% walk rate.
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) has thrown several bullpen sessions and has ramped up the intensity with each session. Darvish traveled to the team's spring training complex in Arizona recently and could face live hitters in the coming days. The 38-year-old Japanese veteran was put on the 15-day injured list on March 27 (retroactive to March 24) with right-elbow inflammation that cropped up during spring training. He has yet to pitch at all in 2025, but barring a setback as he continues to ramp up, Darvish could return to the Padres' starting rotation in late May. He will certainly have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's fully healthy, making Darvish a stash candidate in fantasy, even though he's past his prime. The five-time All-Star went 7-3 last year with a 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 78:22 K:BB in 81 2/3 innings over just 16 starts.
Padres Hopeful That Yu Darvish Will Be Available In May
MLB.com's AJ Cassavell writes that the San Diego Padres are hopeful that right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow), who has been out since mid-March with right-elbow inflammation, will rejoin the starting rotation at some point in May. Darvish threw another bullpen session last Friday and was able to mix in a heavier dose of breaking balls. His ramp-up has been slow because of the fact that he hadn't fully built up his arm in spring training when he was sidelined. The Japanese veteran is at least several weeks off but could move to facing live hitters in the near future. Darvish is expected to need around three or four bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face live hitters. The 38-year-old was avoided by many fantasy managers in spring drafts to his injury, and rightfully so, but he'll be a waiver-wire pickup as he gets closer to a 2025 debut. The four-time All-Star had a 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in his 16 starts in 2024.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) played catch off of the mound on Tuesday, writes AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. It's a step in the right direction for Darvish, who still figures to be a ways away despite reportedly also playing loss toss out to 180 feet recently. There is no set timetable for his return, but the next step in his recovery will be throwing bullpens when he is ready. He landed on the injured list at the start of the season after dealing with elbow inflammation during the spring. He has struggled to stay healthy in recent years but remained productive when he takes the mound, posting a 3.31 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 16 starts in 2024. Darvish is likely at least three weeks away from coming off the injured list.