When the Padres signed Yu Darvish to a 6-year, $108 million contract agreement that would take him into his 41st season, they had to have anticipated this. It’s not Tommy John yet, but they anticipate an IL stint to begin the season due to elbow inflammation.
Fatigue. Inflammation. Elbow tightness.
Those are not words anyone wants to associate with any Padre, let alone Darvish. However, he is 38 years old and has 1,706 innings on his arm, and that is just regular season innings (not including Japanese, Spring Training, or postseason).
It has been well documented how many pitches he throws and how often he tinkers with things to attempt to improve, even as he approaches retirement.
It’s a lot of breaking pitches, and no matter how carefully you take care of your body, it will wear you down over time.
Darvish has already a Tommy John recipient (2015), and he’s been on the IL for shoulder pain, back tightness, triceps tendinitis, a hip impingement, elbow inflammation, neck stiffness, and a groin strain.
The Padres may be disappointed by this, but they should not be surprised. Unfortunately, that is what the sport is. It appears that every pitcher will experience elbow/arm difficulties at some point in their careers.
There is no date for his comeback, but Stephen Kolek, Kyle Hart, and Randy Vasquez have an opportunity to step up and establish themselves.
Leave a Reply