Former Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish isn’t planning to retire just yet.
The current San Diego Padres starter took to social media Saturday to clarify where he stands on his playing career. Darvish responded after an earlier report from The San Diego Union-Tribune stated the 39-year-old was set to retire.
You may have seen an article, and although I am leaning towards voiding the contract, there’s still a lot that has to be talked over with the Padres so the finer details are yet to be decided.
Also I will not be announcing my retirement yet.
Right now I am fully focused on my…
— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) January 24, 2026
“You may have seen an article, and although I am leaning towards voiding the contract, there’s still a lot that has to be talked over with the Padres so the finer details are yet to be decided,” Darvish wrote on X/Twitter. “Also I will not be announcing my retirement yet. Right now I am fully focused on my rehab for my elbow, and if I get to a point where I can throw again, I will start from scratch again to compete. If once I get to that point I feel I can’t do that, I will announce my retirement.”
Rangers
Darvish still has three years remaining on a six-year, $108 million extension he signed with the Padres ahead of the 2023 season. Back in November, Darvish underwent UCL repair surgery with an internal brace. He’s expected to miss the 2026 campaign.
Darvish started 15 games for the Padres last season, posting a 5.38 ERA in 72 innings pitched. He has spent the last five years of his MLB career in San Diego after stops with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Rangers notably signed Darvish in 2012. At the time, he was the biggest Japanese star to ever move to the major leagues.
He suited up for the Rangers for five years, starting 122 games. He posted a 3.42 ERA in that stretch, posting 960 strikeouts.
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