San Diego Padres star pitcher Yu Darvish is taking a break from his preparations for the upcoming season and may not be ready for his first start. Padres manager Mike Shildt cited “general fatigue” as the reason for Darvish’s pause. This timing could potentially result in Darvish being placed on the injured list as the Padres gear up to face the Atlanta Braves at home on March 27 to kick off the 2025 season.
Shildt explained on Monday, “He’s feeling some general fatigue, so we’re giving him a bit of a break and reassessing his schedule. We want to ensure he stays healthy throughout the long season ahead.” If Darvish is placed at the back of the rotation at the beginning of the season, the Padres won’t need a fifth starter until their home game against the Cleveland Guardians on March 31. Right-hander Michael King has been named as the Padres’ Opening Day starter this season.
Darvish has participated in two Cactus League starts this spring, recording a 1-0 record with a 4.05 ERA in 6 2/3 innings. Last season, he struggled with elbow soreness, hip, and neck problems, limiting him to just 16 starts where he posted a 7-3 record with a 3.31 ERA in 81 2/3 innings. Despite his challenges, Darvish performed well in the playoffs, with a 1-1 record and a 1.98 ERA in two starts during a series loss to the Dodgers.
Over his 12-year career in the majors, Darvish has amassed a 110-88 record with a 3.58 ERA in 282 starts for the Texas Rangers, Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Padres. The five-time All-Star was a Cy Young Award runner-up in the American League in 2013.
