Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish has essentially disappeared from the major leagues since being placed on the restricted list in July. Padres manager Mike Shildt cited an undisclosed family matter as the reason for Darvish’s absence.
There is no confirmed timeline for Darvish’s return to San Diego’s rotation. However, two individuals close to Darvish shared their predictions with the New York Post regarding his potential comeback. One suggested there’s a “50-50” chance he will return this season, while the other believed the odds of his return are higher.
Despite his absence from the Padres, Darvish has reportedly been maintaining his workouts.
His hiatus from baseball occurred shortly after being sent on a rehab assignment to the Fort Wayne TinCaps for a left groin strain in early June. Darvish, a 2020 All-MLB First-Team selection, last pitched on May 29, throwing three innings in the Padres’ loss to the Marlins.
The 2023 season has been one of Darvish’s toughest, with a 4.56 ERA, the second-highest of his career and the worst since 2021. However, he was beginning to show signs of improvement, posting a 3.20 ERA in 11 starts this season, with 53 strikeouts and only 15 walks over 56.1 innings. Darvish was expected to play a key role as the Padres push for a playoff spot.
On the plus side, Darvish’s break allows him time to recover from earlier injuries.
San Diego’s rotation currently features three standout pitchers — Michael King (3.19 ERA), Dylan Cease (3.41 ERA), and Matt Waldron (4.00 ERA) — all ranking among the top 20 in the National League. The trio also excels in limiting hits, with Dylan Cease, who threw the Padres’ second no-hitter in history, ranking third in the league with only 99 hits allowed.
If Darvish returns to the mound this season, the five-time All-Star would significantly bolster an already formidable rotation. Since the All-Star break, the Padres have been on a tear, nearly securing their spot as one of the three National League Wild Card teams.
The Padres have gone 19-3 in their last 22 games, a team-record streak that virtually guarantees them a playoff berth.
