The San Diego Padres were already facing a steep climb this offseason when it came to rebuilding their starting rotation. The departures of Dylan Cease and Michael King in free agency left clear holes in the staff, but the situation has taken a more complicated turn - and it centers around Yu Darvish.
The veteran right-hander, who’s under contract through the 2028 season, won’t pitch in 2026 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL and flexor tendon in his throwing elbow. That’s a significant blow not just in the short term, but potentially for the long haul. And based on Darvish’s recent comments, there’s real uncertainty about whether he’ll ever take the mound again in a Padres uniform - or in Major League Baseball at all.
“I’m not necessarily thinking about really pitching as I go through this rehab process right now,” Darvish said. “I don’t have that in mind.
I’m just trying to rehab my arm right now. And if I get the urge to come back, if I feel that I can stand on the mound and come back, then I will go for that, but I’ll just leave it there for now.”
That’s not the sound of a pitcher locked in on a comeback. It’s the voice of a 39-year-old who’s been through the grind, knows what it takes to return from major surgery, and isn’t sure if he’s got another run left in him.
Darvish is coming off a tough 2025 season. In his 13th year in the big leagues, he posted a 5.38 ERA over just 15 starts.
The command wasn’t where it needed to be, the strikeout stuff wasn’t as sharp, and the innings weren’t piling up the way the Padres needed. Now, with a lengthy rehab ahead and no guarantee of a return, the organization has to plan as if he won’t be back.
And that’s a heavy consideration, especially when you look at the financial picture. Darvish is still owed $108 million from the six-year extension he signed in 2023. That contract runs through 2028, but if he doesn’t return to the field, those dollars become a sunk cost - and the Padres will need to find other arms to carry the load.
Let’s not forget, this is a five-time All-Star we’re talking about. Darvish has had a remarkable career, both in Japan and MLB.
He’s been a strikeout artist, a postseason workhorse, and one of the most cerebral pitchers of his generation. But the body doesn’t always cooperate with the mind, and at this stage, it’s clear that health - not a return date - is the priority.
From a front office standpoint, the Padres now face a multi-layered challenge. They need immediate help in the rotation, but they also need to think long-term. If Darvish doesn’t return, that’s not just one rotation spot to fill - it’s a leadership void, a veteran presence, and a major financial commitment that may not yield innings.
For now, Darvish will rehab. He’ll focus on healing, on getting his arm right, and maybe - if the desire returns - he’ll make another run at the big leagues.
But he’s not promising anything. And for the Padres, that means preparing for a future without him might not just be prudent - it might be necessary.
By this time next year, we may have a clearer picture. Will Darvish be gearing up for a return in 2027, or will he quietly close the book on a storied career? Either way, the Padres have work to do - and a rotation to rebuild.