Yu Darvish took a big step toward a return to the rotation on Wednesday.
He might not need all that many more steps, either.
The 38-year-old veteran threw 51 pitches over four innings in a rehab start for Triple-A El Paso at Las Vegas. Thirty-seven pitches were strikes. He struck out four, walked one and allowed a two-run homer in the first inning in one of the Pacific Coast League’s friendlier hitting environments after that free .
Darvish allowed just one other hit in the start, a single to start the second inning.
Have YU seen who's back? 👀@Padres right-hander Yu Darvish fans 4 over 4 innings in his first rehab start for the Triple-A @epchihuahuas. pic.twitter.com/Y8YoNHulus
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 15, 2025
Because Darvish was lined up for 65 pitches and four innings, it’s possible he pushed his workload in the bullpen after exiting the game.
Elbow inflammation shut down Darvish in spring training and set in motion a delayed start to the season. His ramp-up included three simulated innings on Thursday at the team’s spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz., ahead of Wednesday’s initial minor league rehab assignment.
A veteran of 12 big-league seasons who has amassed more than 3,200 strikeouts between his time in the States and Japan, Darvish will drive the conversation about the next step, though Padres manager Mike Shildt hinted on Wednesday afternoon in San Diego that it might not include all that many more rehab starts, if any.
“Listen, we’ll see what he wants to do, how he feels,” Shildt said, “but I don’t think he wants to spend a lot of time with rehab.”
Off days on Thursday in San Diego and on Monday in Toronto will afford the Padres with opportunities to play with the rotation. The Padres will remain on turn through this weekend, but Tuesday starts a stretch of nine straight games without a day off. The Padres will then play 13 games in a row twice before the end of June, which could very well lead the team to use a six-man rotation over the next several weeks.
Darvish’s appearance with El Paso on Wednesday was on five days rest. If he stays on that schedule, Darvish could start as soon as Tuesday to start the Toronto series.
Again, Darvish will be a leading voice in that conversation.
“The more experience, maybe the more trust, for sure,” Shildt said. “A 38-year-old guy, that’s won 200-plus games, 3000-plus punchouts knows what he needs. He gets to drive a lot of what we’re doing, so he’ll let us know. The stuff will let us know. But Yu’s a very honest guy. He’ll be really clear about his ability to come back and be ready.”
Wednesday’s scoreboard
TRIPLE-A EL PASO (20-21)
Las Vegas 6, Chihuahuas 4: After Darvish’s exit, LHP Omar Cruz (4.02 ERA) allowed four runs in two innings in relief. He struck out two and walked three. RHP David Morgan (2.25 ERA) struck out a batter and walked a batter in a scoreless inning. RF Oscar Gonzalez (1.072 OPS) drove in two runs on his fifth homer. SS Clay Dungan (.783 OPS) collected three doubles and scored twice. LF/1B Tirso Ornelas (.748 OPS) drove in two runs on two hits.
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (17-18)
Midland 6, Missions 0: RHP Victor Lizarraga (0-6, 9.47 ERA) allowed six runs on six hits and four walks in 3⅓ innings in the loss. He struck out three and threw only 42 of his 80 pitches for strikes. RHP Bradgley Rodriguez (3.18 ERA) struck out a batter in a scoreless eighth inning. 2B Marcos Castañon (.759 OPS) and C Brandon Valenzuela (.866 OPS) both had two hits each.
HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (19-16)
W. Michigan 7, TinCaps 0: RHP Clark Candiotti (1-2, 6.89 ERA) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while recording just two outs in the start. The TinCaps collected just three singles in the game—two from RF Braedon Karpathios (.801 OPS) and one from 1B Ethan Long (.562 OPS). SS Leo De Vries (.850 OPS) went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and is
LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (15-20)
Fresno 3, Storm 0: RHP Will Varmette (1-1, 5.63 ERA) struck out eight and allowed a run on two hits and two walks in 5⅓ innings in the loss. The Storm’s only hits were singles from DH Cobb Hightower (.750 OPS) and CF Kasen Wells (.816 OPS).
