What's happened
San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish, 39, announced he underwent elbow surgery last week, including an internal brace, and will miss the 2026 season. The recovery is expected to take 12-15 months, impacting his plans for the next season and potentially his career trajectory.
What's behind the headline?
Darvish's injury highlights the ongoing physical toll of a long MLB career, especially for pitchers. The surgery, involving an internal brace, indicates a significant effort to preserve his arm, but the 12-15 month recovery timeline suggests he will miss the entire 2026 season. This setback could influence his future performance and contract negotiations. The Padres face the challenge of maintaining competitiveness without their veteran ace, and Darvish's return will be critical for their pitching staff. His career, marked by resilience and high achievement, now faces a pivotal recovery phase that will determine his longevity and impact in the league.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports Darvish's surgery and recovery timeline, emphasizing his career achievements and recent limited play due to injury. The NY Post confirms the surgery details and Darvish's statement about missing the 2026 season, highlighting his past injuries and contract status. AP News provides additional context on the internal brace procedure and Darvish's previous Tommy John surgery, framing this injury within his career trajectory and the physical demands of professional pitching.
How we got here
Darvish, a five-time MLB All-Star, has a history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2015. He joined the Padres in 2021 on a six-year deal and has been a key player, leading in strikeouts and wins in previous seasons. His recent injury follows a limited 2025 season due to elbow inflammation.
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The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego, California. They compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the National League West division.
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Farid Yu Darvishsefat, popularly known as Yu Darvish, is a Japanese professional baseball starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball and a YouTuber.