Padres Face Major Setback with Yu Darvish's Surgery

The San Diego Padres have received disappointing news as the 2026 MLB season approaches. Esteemed starter Yu Darvish announced on Tuesday that he will miss the entire season following surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon and an internal brace in his elbow.

A Difficult 2025 Season

Darvish's struggles began in the 2025 season, where he spent the initial part sidelined due to elbow inflammation. He was later placed on the 60-day injured list before finally making his debut on July 7. Over the course of the season, Darvish made 15 starts, finishing with a disappointing record of 5-5. He also recorded a career-worst 5.38 ERA and 68 strikeouts.

Padres' Playoff Journey

Despite Darvish's challenging season, the Padres showcased resilience, finishing with a 90-72 record and securing a playoff spot for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately, their postseason run ended in the National League Wild Card Series, where they fell to the Chicago Cubs in a decisive Game 3, with Darvish allowing two earned runs in the 3-1 defeat.

Looking Ahead

As the team moves forward, there are reasons for optimism in San Diego. This season marked the first time in franchise history that the Padres won 90 games in back-to-back years. With Darvish sidelined, the spotlight turns to veteran pitcher Nick Pivetta, who emerged as the ace of the staff, boasting an impressive 13-5 record, a 2.87 ERA, and 190 strikeouts over 31 starts.

The loss of Darvish places additional pressure on the Padres to bolster their pitching staff this winter. Known for their propensity to make significant acquisitions in recent offseasons, fans can anticipate an active off-season as the Padres aim to develop a competitive roster capable of contending for the playoffs in 2026.