Padres' Yu Darvish to restricted list amid surgery recovery
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Yu Darvish has been placed on the restricted list for the 2026 season as he recovers from elbow surgery, freeing up a 40-man roster spot and potentially significant payroll space for the San Diego Padres.
- The move means the Padres are not required to pay Darvish's $15 million salary for 2026, which could help them pursue free agent starter Lucas Giolito to strengthen their rotation.
- Darvish, 39, is recovering from surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament and has not indicated plans to retire, focusing instead on his rehabilitation with the hope of returning to compete.
- Throughout his 13-year MLB career, Darvish has been a five-time All-Star with 115 wins and a 3.65 ERA in 297 starts, making him one of the greatest Japanese pitchers in history.
- In the 2024 season, Darvish dealt with a family issue and an elbow injury but returned to pitch in the Padres' late-season rotation before undergoing surgery in November.
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