Right-hander Yu Darvish will miss the 2026 season with the San Diego Padres after undergoing surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. The 39-year-old Darvish also received an internal brace in the procedure performed last week, and he vowed on social media to work hard on his rehabilitation. The injury deals a significant blow to the Padres' already uncertain rotation.
The Padres announced on Tuesday that Yu Darvish underwent surgery last week to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, during which an internal brace was also implanted. As a result, the 39-year-old right-hander will miss the entire 2026 season.
“I will be working hard on my rehab to be able to throw a ball comfortably again,” Darvish wrote in Japanese on social media.
Darvish has a history of elbow issues, having undergone Tommy John surgery in March 2015 and returning to the major league mound on May 28, 2016. The five-time All-Star posted a 5-5 record with a 5.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 15 starts for the Padres last season, after missing the first three months due to elbow inflammation.
In the postseason, he started Game 3 of San Diego's wild card series against the Chicago Cubs but took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits without recording an out in the second inning.
Darvish joined the Padres before the 2021 season and signed a six-year, $108 million contract in February 2023, of which he has completed three seasons. His accolades include leading the AL in strikeouts in 2013 and the NL in victories in 2020.
The injury exacerbates uncertainty in the Padres' rotation following their fourth playoff appearance in six seasons without advancement. Right-hander Dylan Cease is a free agent, and Michael King became one on Monday after declining his 2026 option. The remaining established starters are Nick Pivetta, Randy Vasquez, and Joe Musgrove, who is set to return next year from Tommy John surgery. San Diego also acquired JP Sears in a deadline trade that brought reliever Mason Miller, a former starter.
During his time away from the mound, Darvish can focus on family: his oldest son, Shoei, has committed to play baseball at UC San Diego after graduating high school next year.