Overview
- Darvish had an internal-brace UCL repair and flexor tendon repair on Oct. 29 performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, with a projected 12–15 month recovery.
- Darvish, 39, said on social media he cannot pitch in 2026 and will focus on rehab to throw comfortably again.
- He logged 72 innings over 15 starts in 2025 after elbow inflammation delayed his debut, posting a 5.38 ERA before starting and losing the Padres’ Wild Card decider.
- This is his second major elbow surgery after missing 2015 with Tommy John, and he remains under contract through 2028 with roughly $43 million owed from 2026–28.
- San Diego’s rotation already faces turnover with Dylan Cease and Michael King in free agency, pushing the club to explore external additions and a possible starter role for power reliever Mason Miller.