Yu Darvish — 2026 Season

2026 Season Highlights

As of 10/15, Yu Darvish is on the San Diego Padres' Restricted List and has not yet appeared in a Major League game this season. The reason for his absence has not been made public. Still, his résumé speaks for itself: he has reached a major milestone across his careers in Japan and the U.S., has been a regular in Cy Young Award voting, and won the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Yu Darvish holds the record for most combined NPB/MLB wins (204) among Japanese pitchers and was a key leader for Japan's 2023 WBC championship team. Known for his arsenal of 10+ pitch types and remarkable longevity, Darvish battled injuries in 2025 and underwent Tommy John surgery after the season. He is rehabbing throughout 2026 with no set return date, though he remains with the Padres organization as a valued presence.

• 1As of 10/15, he is listed on the Restricted List and has not made an appearance this season. The reason has not been disclosed.
• 2A starting pitcher with a long track record, he has reached a major career win milestone and has been a regular in Cy Young Award voting. He also won the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
• 3What to watch next is whether his roster status changes. The available data says little beyond that for now, so his situation is worth following.