Padres' Yu Darvish: Likely to start fifth or sixth game
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Darvish likely won't make his 2023 debut until the Padres' fifth or sixth game of the regular season, which would come April 3 or 4 against the Diamondbacks, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Darvish probably would have been the Opening Day starter for the Padres, but he got limited use while representing Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic and still has some buildup to do here in late March. He's aiming to throw four innings in one of the team's final remaining Cactus League games and could then jump into the San Diego rotation during the second series of the season. Blake Snell looks to be lined up for the Opening Day nod.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: May not start Opening Day
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Darvish is unlikely to start Opening Day for the Padres, Bob Scanlan of Bally Sports San Diego reports.
Darvish pitched just an inning for Team Japan on Tuesday during the World Baseball Classic, and he may need some time to get ramped up. Scanlan notes that Darvish will report to camp Thursday and that the right-hander ended the offseason throwing 80-pitch bullpens, so it shouldn't take much time to get him lengthened. Darvish may not get the Opening Day assignment, but he should still get a regular load for San Diego and has a chance to be an excellent fantasy option for the 2023 campaign.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Won't start WBC final against USA
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Darvish will not start Tuesday for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic final against Team USA, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
It will instead be Shota Imanaga on the mound to begin the contest. Darvish was the presumed starter for the contest, and it's likely both he and Shohei Ohtani will be available out of the bullpen for the championship contest with Darvish likely available for multiple innings. Padres manager Bob Melvin has expressed concern about the lack of innings Darvish has received in the tournament, so it'll be interesting to see how much -- if at all -- the 36-year-old pitches against USA on Tuesday.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Concern about WBC usage
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Padres manager Bob Melvin expressed concern Thursday about Darvish's lack of usage in the World Baseball Classic, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Darvish was brought on in relief for Team Japan in Wednesday's win over Team Italy, and he has logged only five total innings so far in the WBC. Opening Day is just two weeks away, and the Padres are worried that the ace right-hander won't be fully built up out of the gate. Maybe he can be pushed a little longer in the next round(s) of the tournament to mitigate some of the frustration coming out of Padres camp. Japan is set to play a semifinal game Monday.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: May not pitch in Cactus League
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San Diego manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Darvish, who is currently pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, may not pitch in any Cactus League contests upon his return to the Padres, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.
Darvish made his spring pitching debut for Japan in the WBC on March 10, allowing three runs (two earned) over three innings. It's unclear how Japan's rotation lines up moving forward, but if Darvish doesn't throw in Thursday's quarterfinal contest against Italy early Thursday, he could potentially pitch in the semifinal or championship game, if Japan advances it that far. In such a scenario, the Padres could opt to rest him for the remainder of the spring slate, especially if they plan to put him on the mound for the team's Opening Day matchup versus Colorado on March 30. The WBC provides a much more competitive atmosphere than Cactus League exhibition contests, so Darvish's participation in the tournament could provide enough of a ramp-up to prepare him for the regular season.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Makes spring debut in WBC
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Darvish pitched three innings for Team Japan against Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic on Friday, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out one batter.
After inking a six-year extension with San Diego in early February, Darvish took a measured approach to the start of spring training, as he didn't pitch in any Cactus League contests before joining Japan for the WBC. The veteran right-hander started smoothly in Friday's game against Korea, retiring the first six batters he faced. However, he gave up three runs in the third inning, including two on a home run by Euji Yang. The rough frame shouldn't deter fantasy managers from pursuing Darvish in drafts, where he's generally been going among the top 25 starting pitchers.
Darvish and the Padres agreed Thursday to a six-year, $108 million contract extension, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell and Mark Feinsand.
This deal could keep Darvish in San Diego through 2028, pushing into his early-40s. Prior to the new agreement, the 36-year-old right-hander was due $18 million in 2023 with free agency looming next winter. Darvish delivered a stellar 3.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 197:37 K:BB across 194.2 regular-season innings (30 starts) last season for the Friars. He also registered a 2.88 ERA and 23:6 K:BB over 25 innings (four starts) in the 2022 playoffs. It's the third different six-year contract of his illustrious MLB career.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Doesn't factor in Game 5 decision
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Darvish did not factor in the decision during Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies in Game 5 of the NLCS, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.
Darvish recorded his second quality start the NLCS, but the San Diego bullpen was unable to hold on for the victory, eliminating the Padres from the postseason. With two outs in the third inning, a walk followed by a two-run homer from Rhys Hoskins accounted for Darvish's two earned runs, but the 36-year-old righty was still in line for the win until Bryce Harper's go-ahead homer off Robert Suarez. Nonetheless, Darvish had a solid postseason run on the mound, earning a 2.88 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 25 innings, the most he has thrown in a postseason.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Takes loss in Game 1
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Darvish (0-1) took the loss Tuesday night, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out seven in the 2-0 defeat to the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLCS.
Despite being charged with the loss, Darvish pitched a solid game, but he was outdueled by Zack Wheeler. The Phillies were just 3-for-24 against Darvish, but two of his hits allowed were solo homers by Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. The Padres' ace is struggling to limit home runs in the postseason -- he has allowed six earned runs across three starts, and all six runs have come from solo homers. Nonetheless, Darvish has a 2.84 ERA in the postseason while striking out 18 batters across 19 innings.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Starting Game 1 of NLCS
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Darvish will start Game 1 of the NLCS against the Phillies on Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Darvish has been relatively effective over his first two postseason starts, posting a 3.00 ERA, 11:2 K:BB and 1.25 WHIP in 12 innings. He would've started Game 5 of the NLDS on short rest if needed, but he'll have a few additional days to rest before the NLCS begins Tuesday.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Yields three runs in loss
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Darvish (16-8) allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the White Sox.
Darvish threw 70 of 104 pitches for strikes in a solid outing, but he was responsible for all three of the White Sox's runs. The right-hander had won six straight starts entering Friday, though he managed to extend his streak of quality starts to eight. For the year, he has a 3.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 197:37 K:BB through 194.2 innings across 30 starts. Darvish is tentatively lined up for a home start versus San Francisco next week, though it's unclear if he'll ultimately pitch again in the regular season or be saved until the playoffs should the Padres secure their spot.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Continues win streak
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Darvish (16-7) earned the win during Saturday's 9-3 victory over Colorado, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in six innings.
Darvish rebounded after surrendering a leadoff Ryan McMahon home run in the first inning to limit Colorado to only one more run over the next five frames, and he fell in line for his 16th win as San Diego plated three runs by the fifth. The 36-year-old fired 63 of 87 pitches for strikes with 17 of the swinging variety and has now won six straight starts, pitching to a 1.80 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 40 innings during the stretch. Darvish carries a 3.05 ERA and 0.93 WHIP into his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend against the White Sox.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Another scoreless start
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Darvish (15-7) earned the win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings.
For the third time in four starts, Darvish limited an opponent to two or fewer hits and no runs. He's won five straight outings, giving up just six runs across 34 innings in that span. The right-hander's impressive stretch has helped him lower his ERA to 3.05 with a 0.93 WHIP and 183:35 K:BB through 182.2 innings across 28 starts this year. Darvish will look to keep rolling in a road start versus the Rockies in his next outing.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Blanks Seattle in win
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Darvish (14-7) took the loss during Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Seattle, allowing two hits with seven strikeouts in seven scoreless innings.
Darvish permitted single baserunners in the first and seventh frames while retiring 16 straight batters in between, facing one over the minimum. The 36-year-old possesses a 3.16 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 175 strikeouts across 176.2 innings in 27 starts. He tentatively lines up to pitch again this week Sunday against Arizona.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Yields three homers in win
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Darvish (13-7) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Diamondbacks.
Darvish was tagged for three homers for the second time in 26 starts this year. He was fortunate all three were solo shots -- two from Daulton Varsho and the first of Corbin Carroll's major-league career. The Padres hit three homers of their own to support Darvish in his third straight win and fourth consecutive quality start. The right-hander has a 3.31 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 168:34 K:BB with 20 homers allowed through 168.2 innings this year. Darvish is lined up for a tough road start in Seattle in his next turn.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Shuts down Dodgers for 12th win
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Darvish (12-7) earned the win Friday, allowing two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers. He struck out nine.
The right-hander drew the assignment against the top scoring offense in all of baseball and emerged with his first win in four tries against the Dodgers this season. Darvish has been remarkably consistent both in terms of performance and workload, going at least six innings in each of his last 18 starts and posting a 2.84 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 130:20 K:BB in that stretch.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Strikes out six in win
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Darvish (11-7) earned the win against the Royals on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two over seven innings.
Darvish allowed five hits and two walks, but he limited the damage to three runs. He was able to pick up the win thanks in part to his offense coming alive in the second and third innings. Darvish tossed 65 of 102 pitches for strikes across seven frames, earning a quality start. It was his second in consecutive games and his fourth in five games this month. The righty had a 2.52 ERA for the month of June and a 3.18 ERA in July, but he has a 4.05 August ERA after giving up 15 earned runs in 33.1 innings pitched. Darvish will take a 3.41 ERA into his next appearance.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Activated from paternity list
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Darvish (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Friday.
Darvish will start Saturday's game in Kansas City, and he'll rejoin the active roster a day before his start. The right-hander has recorded quality starts in seven of his last eight outings, posting a 3.15 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 54.1 innings across that span.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Lands on paternity list
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Darvish was placed on the paternity list by the Padres on Tuesday.
The veteran right-hander, who was previously scheduled to start Wednesday against the Guardians, will instead step away from the team for a few days in order to be with his family. According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Blake Snell will have his spot in the rotation pushed up to the series finale versus Cleveland. Darvish could rejoin the Padres as early as Friday's series opener in Kansas City.
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Padres' Yu Darvish: Stung by tough-luck loss
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Darvish (10-7) took the loss against Washington on Thursday, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out six batters.
Darvish was fantastic through eight frames, yielding only one run (on a third-inning Ildemaro Vargas homer). Darvish kept his pitch count low enough to remain in the contest for the ninth inning, but he was pulled after allowing singles to two of the first three batters he faced. Josh Hader entered from the bullpen and issued a hit-by-pitch, a walk and a sacrifice fly, allowing both inherited runners to score. Darvish thus picked up his third straight loss, though he has pitched relatively well during that stretch with a 3.98 ERA and 20:1 K:BB over 20.1 innings.
