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Yu Darvish Undergoes Surgery, Out for 2026 Season

11/5/2025

46 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Yu Darvish, a pitcher for the San Diego Padres, had surgery on October 29 to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon, sidelining him for the 2026 season.
He is 39 and wrote on social media that he will rehab and aims to pitch again.
The injury creates rotation-depth challenges for the Padres as they prepare.
Darvish's absence adds to uncertainty after the team's playoff exit.

History

Historical Context

In 1974, orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe performed the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, known as Tommy John surgery, on pitcher Tommy John, who later extended his career by 14 seasons. This groundbreaking procedure has since been performed over 25,000 times, significantly impacting player recovery and team strategies in Major League Baseball, especially following injuries like those faced by Yu Darvish.

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Story summary

Yu Darvish, a pitcher for the San Diego Padres, had surgery on October 29 to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon, sidelining him for the 2026 season.
He is 39 and wrote on social media that he will rehab and aims to pitch again.
The injury creates rotation-depth challenges for the Padres as they prepare.
Darvish's absence adds to uncertainty after the team's playoff exit.

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