Yu Darvish DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) made his first minor-league rehab start on May 14 with Triple-A El Paso but experienced renewed soreness afterward and hasn't pitched in a game since. However, Darvish has been cleared to resume his ramp-up and played catch at Petco Park before Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, according to MLB.com AJ Cassavell. "He's in a good spot, and I saw a smile on his face," manager Mike Shildt said. "So he's making steps forward. We'll see where it goes." It's unclear exactly when the 38-year-old veteran might be able to make his 2025 MLB debut, though, after not appearing in game all year due to right-elbow inflammation. With right-hander Michael King (shoulder) also on the IL, left-hander Kyle Hart could stick around in SD's rotation for the time being.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) is not ready to come off the injured list to make his 2025 debut in the big leagues after feeling tightness in his right elbow after his last minor-league rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on May 14, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. The good news is that Darvish continues to play catch after throwing 51 pitches over four innings in his only rehab start for the Chihuahuas. The Padres and Darvish aren't calling this a setback, but it's definitely concerning for a 38-year-old hurler that was only able to make 16 starts for the Friars in 2024 due to arm issues. Darvish is expected to be evaluated further this weekend, at which point we should have a better idea of whether he'll continue on with his rehab assignment or be shut down from throwing. A setback at this point of the year could put the rest of Darvish's season in jeopardy.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) made his first minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso and worked four innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out four. Although Darvish was hit with the loss for the Chihuahuas against Triple-A Las Vegas, all in all, it was a solid first rehab outing for the 38-year-old veteran. He was sitting at 94.5 mph on the radar gun with his four-seam fastball as he works his way back from inflammation in his right elbow that he began experiencing in spring training in mid-March. Darvish is expected to need a couple more rehab outings before he's a candidate to come off the injured list, meaning he could make his 2025 debut for the Friars by the end of May. When healthy, the Japanese All-Star will be an option for the back end of fantasy rotations in mixed leagues.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, manager Mike Shildt announced on Monday night. Darvish tossed 48 pitches during a simulated game last week and is now ready to face live hitters in a game environment as he works his way back from right-elbow inflammation that he first experienced in mid-March during spring training. The 38-year-old has yet to make his 2025 debut, and the Padres aren't going to rush the Japanese veteran back into their starting rotation, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't come off the injured list until sometime in late May or early June. The five-time All-Star is past his prime and in the twilight of his career, but he still offered fantasy managers a solid 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 16 starts last year, albeit with a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions and recently traveled to the team's spring training complex in Arizona, where he's expected to face live hitters for the first time on Thursday. Darvish is working his way back from right-elbow inflammation that has kept him out all season so far, but barring a setback as he builds up his arm, he could return to the Padres' starting rotation at some point this month. Since the 38-year-old Japanese veteran hasn't started a minor-league rehab assignment, his return probably won't come until late May, at the earliest. The five-time All-Star is no longer in his prime and also dealt with injuries that limited him to 16 starts in 2024, but when healthy, he still has fantasy value. Darvish went 7-3 for the Friars last year with a solid 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, but also with a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate and a 6.6% walk rate.