Yu Darvish Out for 2026 Season
Surgery Details
Yu Darvish, a veteran pitcher for the San Diego Padres, recently had surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He shared this news on social media, revealing that the surgery took place last Wednesday.
Recovery Process
Darvish is now using an internal brace to help with his recovery. He expressed his commitment to working hard on his rehabilitation so he can throw comfortably again. The typical recovery time for this type of surgery is between 12 to 15 months, according to the Padres organization.
Player Background
At 39 years old, Darvish had a mixed performance last season, finishing with a record of 5 wins and 5 losses, along with an earned run average (ERA) of 5.38. He still has three years left on his contract, which is worth nearly $108 million. Darvish's injury is a setback for the Padres, who are facing uncertainty in their pitching rotation.
Impact on the Team
Darvish's absence is significant for the Padres, who made the playoffs last season but did not advance. The team is already dealing with changes in their pitching staff, as right-hander Dylan Cease is a free agent and Michael King has also opted out of his contract for 2026. The remaining starters include Nick Pivetta, Randy Vasquez, and Joe Musgrove, who is expected to return from his own Tommy John surgery next year.
Family Focus
During his time away from the mound, Darvish will have plenty to keep him busy. His oldest son, Shoei, has committed to play baseball at UC San Diego after graduating from high school next year, which will be an exciting milestone for the family.
