Padres News: Yu Darvish Remains Without a Timetable for Return

Will the right-hander be able to get back on the mound this season?

It's been a difficult season for Yu Darvish.

The San Diego Padres starting pitcher has had a tough spell on the mound in 2023, a setback that was only exacerbated by a trip to the injured list with what was determined to be bone spurs in his right elbow. 

And with less than a month remaining in the season, the veteran remains without a timetable for a return.

"RHP Yu Darvish (bone spurs) has progressed to throwing from flat ground but remains without a timetable."

via

Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune

The 37-year-old is in the midst of one of his worst years in MLB this season, posting a 4.56 ERA in 24 starts, and generally being far from a relied upon arm toward the top of the Padres rotation. 

Disappointment has been a theme of the entire team this year, as they currently sit on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. 

The Friars are six and a half games back from the final National League wild card spot with just 20 games remaining as of Wednesday afternoon. Additionally, they sit behind four teams in the race. 

A potential silver lining though is that they play three games against the San Francisco Giants -- a team they trail in the wild card race -- from September 25 through the 27th, and that represents at least an opportunity for them to cut their deficit, provided they are still alive at that point. 

It will take an almost herculean push for the Friars to get to the postseason, and it looks like their rotation will be lacking some depth in Darvish down the stretch.