:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(665x0:667x2)/paul-wesley-natalie-kuckenburg-amalfi-coast2-71825-10b4444f9a6242c8aa742476e5d68235.jpg "Paul Wesley and Girlfriend Natalie Kuckenburg on Yacht Vacation in Italy: Photos")
San Diego – San Diego Padres right-hander Yu darvish will be activated from the injured list and make his season debut Monday night at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Japanese star has been sidelined since spring training by right elbow inflammation.
“It really just comes down from a physical standpoint,” manager Mike Shildt said before the Padres finished a series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday night. “We always have an open day on the schedule for Yu Darvish to start.”
Making a start Monday night will allow Darvish to make another start before the All-Star break.
Darvish, who turns 39 on Aug. 16, threw a bullpen session Saturday after throwing two simulated games against minor leaguers in the past two weeks.
Darvish sat out significant time in 2024 because of an elbow injury and a personal issue. He made five starts in September and finished the regular season with a 7-3 record and a 3.31 ERA.
He pitched well in two starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a National League Division Series, earning the win Game 2 and taking the loss in Game 5.
The Padres went from having a 2-1 lead in the series to failing to score over the final 24 innings against the eventual World Series champions.
