Yu Darvish, the seasoned right-hander, has announced his decision to retire from Major League Baseball after 15 seasons, ending his career with three years and $43 million left on his contract with the San Diego Padres. At 39 years old, Darvish has had an illustrious career, being recognized as one of the best starting pitchers of his generation.
The announcement comes after Darvish underwent surgery in October to address a torn UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow, following a challenging season in which he started only 15 regular-season games and pitched in the Wild Card Series against the Cubs. In light of his recent health challenges, Darvish is prioritizing family time and his recovery process, indicating, “I am focused on getting right, not on coming back.”
Though Darvish contemplated the potential to return to the mound, he acknowledged that his thoughts have shifted towards ensuring he heals fully. In a candid reflection, he noted the inevitability of this decision given the circumstances surrounding his injuries and performance over the past seasons. He missed significant playtime in 2024 due to elbow issues and personal matters. However, even while considering retirement, he remained engaged with the Padres organization, attending key discussions and events.
Darvish’s collaboration with Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has been significant, fostering trust and influencing his decision-making process, including the decision to retire. This trust was reinforced following the death of Peter Seidler, the team’s chairman, whose commitment to winning the World Series deeply impacted Darvish.
Over his tenure with the Padres, Darvish achieved a record of 44-37 and a 3.97 ERA across 115 starts. His successful career in Major League Baseball also includes achieving a combined total of 204 wins between MLB and Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, marking him as the all-time winningest pitcher across these leagues.
Darvish’s accolades include being a two-time Cy Young Award runner-up and a robust presence on the mound, earning 2,075 strikeouts, which ranks 44th all-time. Despite facing elbow issues throughout his time with the Padres, he has left a notable impact on the game, collaborating closely with teammates and management to contribute to the team’s aspirations.
As Darvish steps away from the field, his contributions to baseball both in Japan and the United States will be remembered, and his decision to retire opens up new pathways for both him and the Padres, who are set to benefit financially in future seasons. The hope is now for the Padres to leverage the savings from his contract to further enhance their roster and build for success in the coming years.