San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish told reporters on Wednesday that he made a mechanical change that "drastically dropped the arm slot." The change seemed to pay off immediately on Wednesday, as Darvish held the Mets to just two hits in seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts and two hits allowed. He earned his first win of the season after going 0-3 with a 9.18 ERA and 5.31 FIP in his first four starts. Darvish was dropped in many standard leagues after his brutal start to the season, but Wednesday's adjustment and improved results could make him a fantasy-relevant option again. His next start is currently scheduled for next Tuesday on the road in Arizona, and it'll definitely be one to watch closely to see if he can sustain his success.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) will be activated off the 60-day injured list and start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. Finally, Darvish will take the mound after missing basically the first half of the season due to right elbow inflammation. The right-hander threw a 64-pitch simulated game on Tuesday. That being said, Darvish might not be fully stretched out, so this could be a shorter outing than expected. The hope is that Darvish can make two shorter starts before the All-Star break, and then be fully unleashed for the second half of the season. Fantasy managers in need of pitching help should certainly check the waiver wire and add Darvish if available.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) appears to be nearing a return to the mound. Darvish threw a bullpen session on Saturday, which means he won't take the mound on Sunday. It seemed unlikely that Darvish would be activated off the 60-day injured list this weekend, but there was some hope. The Padres are expected to announce a plan for Darvish on Sunday. Darvish has been sidelined all season due to right elbow inflammation. It sounds like he should be ready to return to the Padres rotation at some point in July. That being said, it wouldn't be a bad idea for fantasy managers to stash Darvish now.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) is not expected to be activated this weekend. The Padres do not have a starter named for Sunday's matchup with the Rangers, but manager Mike Shildt stated that Darvish likely would not be the one to fill the void. The veteran hurler has been dealing with elbow inflammation, however, he's been working his way back, now having thrown three simulated games with his last one going four innings and 64 pitches. Although Shildt expressed that Darvish would not be Sunday's option, he also did not make it clear what the next step would be for the Japanese righty, however, it's looking like he could be activated sometime in the coming weeks, perhaps even without completing an official minor-league rehab assignment. Whatever the case, fantasy managers in need of pitching help could stash Darvish where available, as he can still be a viable back-end rotation piece in 12-team leagues and deeper.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) threw a four-inning, 64-pitch simulated game against Single-A hitters in Lake Elsinore on Monday, which was his third sim game, according to MLB.com. Darvish is nearing a return to the big-league starting rotation, but it's unclear what his next step will be at this time. The 38-year-old Japanese hurler is currently on the 60-day injured list and has been out all season with right-elbow inflammation, but he could be back in early July, depending on whether the Friars want to send him on an official minor-league rehab assignment. The Padres certainly could use the help in the rotation with Michael King (shoulder) still sidelined, but they also don't want to rush the veteran hurler. Darvish can be useful as back-end rotation depth in mixed fantasy leagues, but he's no longer the dominant strikeout artist he was earlier in his career and will likely be eased back in from a pitch-count perspective when he does make his 2025 debut.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) recovered well from a three-inning, 51-pitch simulated game against Single-A Lake Elsinore on June 25 and then threw a 31-pitch bullpen session on Saturday in Cincinnati, according to MLB.com. Manager Mike Shildt said that Darvish "felt great" afterwards, and the next step could be another simulated game. Darvish is currently on the 60-day injured list and hasn't pitched yet in 2025 for the Padres, but if he continues to progress, he could come off the IL to make his season debut before the mid-July All-Star break. The Friars could surely use the 38-year-old veteran Japanese hurler back with Michael King (shoulder) and Ryan Bergert (forearm) also on the IL. Darvish is no longer in his prime and had a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate last year, but he can still be useful in mixed fantasy leagues in the right matchups.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) pitched a simulated game this past Wednesday at Single-A Lake Elsinore, and it went well, so the team is "getting closer to putting together a plan" for when the veteran hurler will return to the mound for the Padres. While vague, it appears he's continuing to progress, so one would expect a couple of rehab starts to follow before rejoining San Diego's rotation, which would put him on track to return after the All-Star break in a best-case scenario. The Padres are also without Michael King, so they could use the rotation help. The 38-year-old has yet to pitch for the team this season, but was effective in his 16 starts in 2024, posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 16.9 percent K-BB%, so fantasy managers in need of pitching help could consider stashing him for when he returns.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) threw a simulated game on Friday as part of his progression after being shut down following a rehab start he made back on May 14. The simulated game built the veteran back up to about two innings and 40 pitches. If the 38-year-old feels good Saturday, in all likelihood, a rehab assignment will follow next week, putting him on track to return sometime aroundthe All-Star break. With Michael King out as well, the Padres could use the 5x All-Star, who made 16 starts last year, going 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA (3.91 SIERA), 1.07 WHIP, and a solid 16.9 percent K-BB% in 81 2/3 IP. Fantasy managers in deep leagues who are hurting for starting pitching should consider stashing Darvish ahead of his eventual return.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) threw a simulated game last Saturday and is scheduled to throw another one on Friday, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. If Darvish comes out of Friday feeling good, a minor-league rehab assignment will likely follow. The 38-year-old Japanese veteran has yet to pitch in 2025 due to right-elbow inflammation, but he could be ready to rejoin the team's starting rotation just before or just after the mid-July All-Star break. Although Darvish is past his prime and might not have much left in the tank, he could still be useful as rotation depth in deeper fantasy leagues as well as a spot starter based on matchups. The five-time All-Star only made 16 starts in 2024 with the Friars due to injury and a personal issue, going 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while fanning 78 and walking 22 in 81 2/3 innings pitched.

The San Diego Padres announced on Monday that they transferred right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) to the 60-day injured list and selected the contract of outfielder Bryce Johnson from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. The Padres also optioned catcher Luis Campusano to El Paso. Darvish has been out all season while rehabbing a right-elbow injury. The 38-year-old was nearing a return in May but then had his minor-league rehab assignment paused when he developed soreness in his elbow. The good news for the Friars is that the Japanese hurler threw a simulated game on Saturday and could be cleared to go on a short rehab assignment again before potentially rejoining the team's starting rotation before the mid-July All-Star break. Darvish can offer rotation help in mixed fantasy leagues when he returns, but the five-time All-Star isn't the swing-and-miss pitcher he once was.

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.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) has thrown several bullpen sessions and has ramped up the intensity with each session. Darvish traveled to the team's spring training complex in Arizona recently and could face live hitters in the coming days. The 38-year-old Japanese veteran was put on the 15-day injured list on March 27 (retroactive to March 24) with right-elbow inflammation that cropped up during spring training. He has yet to pitch at all in 2025, but barring a setback as he continues to ramp up, Darvish could return to the Padres' starting rotation in late May. He will certainly have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's fully healthy, making Darvish a stash candidate in fantasy, even though he's past his prime. The five-time All-Star went 7-3 last year with a 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 78:22 K:BB in 81 2/3 innings over just 16 starts.

MLB.com's AJ Cassavell writes that the San Diego Padres are hopeful that right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow), who has been out since mid-March with right-elbow inflammation, will rejoin the starting rotation at some point in May. Darvish threw another bullpen session last Friday and was able to mix in a heavier dose of breaking balls. His ramp-up has been slow because of the fact that he hadn't fully built up his arm in spring training when he was sidelined. The Japanese veteran is at least several weeks off but could move to facing live hitters in the near future. Darvish is expected to need around three or four bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face live hitters. The 38-year-old was avoided by many fantasy managers in spring drafts to his injury, and rightfully so, but he'll be a waiver-wire pickup as he gets closer to a 2025 debut. The four-time All-Star had a 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in his 16 starts in 2024.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) played catch off of the mound on Tuesday, writes AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. It's a step in the right direction for Darvish, who still figures to be a ways away despite reportedly also playing loss toss out to 180 feet recently. There is no set timetable for his return, but the next step in his recovery will be throwing bullpens when he is ready. He landed on the injured list at the start of the season after dealing with elbow inflammation during the spring. He has struggled to stay healthy in recent years but remained productive when he takes the mound, posting a 3.31 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 16 starts in 2024. Darvish is likely at least three weeks away from coming off the injured list.

The San Diego Padres officially placed right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 24) with right-elbow inflammation. In addition to Darvish, right-handers Matt Waldron (oblique), Bryan Hoeing (shoulder), Jhony Brito (forearm) and Sean Reynolds (foot) were placed on the 15-day IL before the start of the regular season. There is no timetable for when Darvish might return to San Diego's starting rotation to make his 2025 debut, but the good news is that he was spotted playing catch at Petco Park earlier this week. In a best-case scenario in which the 38-year-old veteran Japanese hurler avoids surgery on his right arm, he's likely to miss at least the first month of the season as he ramps up after being shut down in the middle of spring training. With Darvish out, left-hander Kyle Hart opens the season as the Friars' No. 5 starter.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) played light catch on Wednesday, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Darvish has been dealing with inflammation in his throwing elbow and is expected to be placed on the injured list to begin the season. In 2024, he posted a 3.31 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts in 81 innings. He is still a productive pitcher when he is on the field, but staying healthy has become a problem for the 38-year-old over the past couple of years. He is a solid IL stash for fantasy purposes if you have the space for him.