The 2026 Spring Training report date for pitchers and catchers is two weeks from today. Joe Musgrove is again hosting his Camp 44 before the new season begins. San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish will almost definitely be participating with the team in one capacity or another. After having his third elbow surgery following last season, Darvish is three months removed and heading into the necessary rehabilitation required to get normal function back in his elbow.<\/p>\n
The big question regarding Darvish is what role he will take going forward. As far back as last season, it was clear that Darvish had already started contemplating ending his professional career. While rehabbing and trying to get back on the field, he said: \u201cI did seriously consider potentially not coming back – with the injury as well as with my performance the last couple years not being up to standard. But I thought to myself to go all out and treat it as if it was my last time.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the surgery, Darvish stated his goal was to rehab in order to be able to have normal function again. Many thought the 39-year-old veteran was implying that he was seriously considering retirement.<\/p>\n
Now we jump forward to January of 2026 and the month leading up to Spring Training. Darvish again implied, while appearing at an event for Ronald McDonald House in December, that his goal was health and pitching again was not in his sights at that point.<\/p>\n
The Padres are budget constrained, the free agent and trade markets have been outrageously expensive, and Padres fans are clamoring for additions to be made to the roster to round out the team.<\/p>\n
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune published an article stating the Darvish retirement was around the corner and he would be walking away from the remainder of his contract. His exact words:<\/p>\n
\u201cYu Darvish does not plan to pitch again in the major leagues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Acee quoted Darvish (from the Ronald McDonald House event) – \u201cThe way my rehab is going now, I am focused on getting right, not coming back. Right now, I\u2019m not really thinking too much about the future. Just knowing the way I think, I\u2019m sure I will one day want to throw again. All I\u2019ve thought about in my life is baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n
After writing in his article that Darvish was done, there was a swift response on social media from both Darvish and his agent, Joel Wolfe.<\/p>\n
Darvish stated via his X (Twitter) account:<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may have seen an article, and although I am leaning towards voiding the contract, there\u2019s 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 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\u2019t do that, I will announce my retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later in the day, after the initial reporting (Saturday, Jan. 25), Darvish elaborated further<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cSince there are reports about my retirement, I\u2019ll explain briefly,\u201d he posted. \u201cI\u2019ve been discussing with the Padres since last year about terminating the contract, but I haven\u2019t decided to retire yet. My own intention has been consistent since the start of the offseason, but at this point, discussions with the Padres, the players\u2019 association, and my agent haven\u2019t been finalized.<\/p>\n \u201cAs for me, if I can thoroughly complete my rehab and feel confident that I can pitch in games both mentally and physically, I\u2019d like to start over and compete from scratch again. As for this year, I plan to go to Petco Park for rehab as well, and also attend a bit of Spring Training.\u201d<\/p>\n Two things are true as you read what Darvish stated. He intends to walk away from his contract with the Padres and, if he decides to pitch again, it will be starting over from scratch and earning a spot on a roster. The details of the first fact are complicated and involve legal and financial issues for both the player and his representatives.<\/p>\n The second point is that he must complete his rehab before even thinking about pitching again. Darvish will be 40 when that process is completed. This is his third elbow surgery and his second UCL surgery. His intention appears clear. He does not want to take any more money from the Padres as a professional pitcher. There will be a negotiation that settles on an agreement for all parties but it seems clear Darvish would prefer to walk away.<\/p>\n Any announcement of a retirement is not immediately forthcoming. If he voids his contract he will owe no one anything and can take his time deciding about his professional future. If he stayed under contract he would have to proceed as the team required but on his own he can do it his way.<\/p>\n