As Opening Day draws near, the San Diego Padres have received troubling news regarding their $108 million starting pitcher, who was expected to be a key piece of their rotation in 2025. The Padres have confirmed that right-hander Yu Darvish, 37, is facing a setback that could significantly impact his readiness for the start of the season. The pitcher has been diagnosed with shoulder inflammation, and team doctors are concerned about the severity of the injury.
Darvish, who signed a six-year, $108 million contract with the Padres in 2021, had been projected to play a crucial role in the team’s pitching staff this season. After a solid 2024 campaign, where he posted a 3.41 ERA with 200 strikeouts in 185 innings, expectations were high for him to continue being a top-tier starter in 2025. However, the recent news has left Padres fans and management on edge.
The injury is particularly worrisome because it comes so close to the start of the season. While the team has not yet provided a definitive timeline for Darvish’s return, the possibility of him missing Opening Day or even the first few weeks of the season is very real. The Padres have stated that Darvish will undergo further testing and evaluations in the coming days to determine the extent of the injury and the necessary course of action.
With the Padres already facing stiff competition in the NL West, losing Darvish for an extended period would put additional pressure on their already talented, yet unproven, pitching staff. The team’s rotation, which includes names like Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove, may now need to pick up the slack as Darvish works his way back to full health.
Padres fans are anxiously awaiting updates on Darvish’s recovery and hoping for a quick turnaround. With Opening Day rapidly approaching, the team’s pitching depth will be put to the test as they look to contend in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.
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