San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish is weighing whether to continue his baseball career or step away from the sport, according to team general manager Craig Stammen. The 40-year-old veteran is currently recovering from ulnar collateral ligament surgery performed in late 2025, marking his second major arm procedure after undergoing Tommy John surgery a decade earlier in 2015.
Darvish has been absent from competition throughout the entire 2026 season, with his last appearance coming in October 2025 during a playoff matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Currently, he is progressing through standard rehabilitation exercises both at the team facility and independently. Recently, he completed a bullpen session on August 26, demonstrating continued physical progress in his recovery.
Stammen expressed cautious optimism about Darvish’s rehabilitation efforts while acknowledging uncertainty about his future plans. “The ball’s in his court,” Stammen stated, emphasizing that the organization is allowing the pitcher to make his own decision on his timeline without pressure. The pitcher remains undecided about whether to attempt a return to active play or pursue a different role within the organization.
Darvish has established himself as a significant figure in baseball history, accumulating 115 wins, 2,075 strikeouts, and a 115-93 record across his 15-year major league career. He currently has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Padres, with guaranteed compensation of at least $15 million annually for each year.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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