Monday, in his 2025 debut, the broad-shouldered, fifth-year Padre showed enough fastball to shorten reaction times and play up his other pitches. The best age-and-workload comparison to Darvish is Clayton Kershaw, his friend and former Dodgers teammate.

San Diego Padres All-Star right-handed starting pitcher Yu Darvish comments on his season debut following his elbow injury.

The Padres’ rotation is getting the boost it has long been waiting for. Yu Darvish will return to the mound on Monday night when San Diego opens a four-game series against the division-rival Diamondbacks at Petco Park,