San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish considering retirement

San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish considering retirement. James H.

Key points

• Darvish last pitched in October 2025 during a wild-card playoff game against the Chicago Cubs.
• San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish is considering retirement, according to Padres manager Craig Stammen.
• Darvish is working his way back from ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery he had in late 2025.
• The 40-year-old pitcher has spent 15 years in the major leagues.
• MLB proposes free agency overhaul that could turn the Winter Meetings into a fast paced signing frenzy.

San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish considering retirement. James H. Williams USA TODAY. MLB free agency overhaul could spark a winter signing frenzy.

Darvish is working his way back from ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery he had in late 2025. He had Tommy John surgery in 2015.

Darvish last pitched in October 2025 during a wild-card playoff game against the Chicago Cubs. He has missed the entire 2026 season.

"He's been doing the normal Tommy John rehab – some of it at Petco, some of it not at Petco, " Stammen remarked when talking on 97.3 The Fan earlier this week. "We see him here and there. He's on his own timeline. He still doesn't know if he really wants to come back, wants to retire, what his next role is within the organization. We're kind of letting him have his space and do his thing, and right now he's throwing bullpens." He last threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

"It's a reason for excitement to see him throwing that way, " Stammen remarked, "but it doesn't really change anything that's happened throughout the year. The ball's in his court, and he'll decide what he wants to do when he wants to do it."

Notably, the 40-year-old pitcher has spent 15 years in the major leagues. He has a 115-93 career record with a 33.2 WAR and 2, 075 strikeouts in 297 starts. Darvish has two years left on his contract after this season. He is projected to produce at least $15 million during each of those years. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around san Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish considering retirement point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.