Padres Unsure If Ace Yu Darvish Will Return for 2026 Season

GM AJ Preller says the team is working through the process with Darvish, who has been clear he won't return if his heart isn't in it.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:15am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Diego Padres are uncertain if veteran starting pitcher Yu Darvish will return for the 2026 MLB season, as the 37-year-old has been weighing retirement. Padres GM AJ Preller said the team is in ongoing conversations with Darvish to determine his plans, with Preller noting Darvish has been clear he won't play if his heart isn't in it. The Padres are looking to add pitching this offseason after losing free agent Dylan Cease, and are linked to free agents like Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen as potential replacements if Darvish does retire.

Why it matters

Darvish has been a key part of the Padres' rotation since joining the team in 2021, so his potential retirement would leave a significant hole that the team would need to fill. The Padres are looking to return to the playoffs in 2026 after losing in the first round in 2025, so Darvish's status is a major question mark as they build their roster.

The details

Padres GM AJ Preller said the team has had many conversations with Darvish this offseason, and that the veteran pitcher has been clear he won't return if he's not fully committed. Darvish struggled in 2025, posting a 5.38 ERA, but has been a consistent presence in the Padres' rotation since joining the team. The Padres lost free agent Dylan Cease this offseason and are looking at options like Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen to potentially replace Darvish if he does retire.

  • The Padres start Spring Training games in late February 2026.

The players

AJ Preller

The general manager of the San Diego Padres.

Yu Darvish

A 37-year-old starting pitcher who has been with the Padres since 2021.

Dylan Cease

A free agent pitcher who left the Padres this offseason to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Framber Valdez

A free agent pitcher the Padres have been linked to as a potential replacement for Darvish.

Zac Gallen

A free agent pitcher the Padres have been linked to as a potential replacement for Darvish.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're working through the process with him. I've had a lot of conversations with Yu throughout the offseason. I think he's been super clear with what's important to him.”

— AJ Preller, General Manager (97.3 The Fan)

“He's been clear from the beginning that he's not going to do something his heart isn't in to.”

— AJ Preller, General Manager (97.3 The Fan)

“We'll continue to work through it, continue to hopefully have a little more clarity here as we go through the next couple weeks.”

— AJ Preller, General Manager (97.3 The Fan)

What’s next

The Padres will need to determine Darvish's plans in the next couple of weeks before the start of Spring Training.

The takeaway

Darvish's potential retirement creates a significant hole in the Padres' rotation that the team will need to address, either by re-signing the veteran or finding a replacement in free agency, as they look to return to the playoffs in 2026.