Yu Darvish is set to make his El Paso Chihuahuas debut tonight, though if matters go as well as the San Diego Padres hope, the right-handed pitcher will never set foot in El Paso.
Darvish, who last pitched in a game in the 2024 postseason, is slated to start for El Paso at Las Vegas, and if he can throw 60 pitches with no discomfort, his time in a Chihuahuas uniform will be a one-and-done. San Diego’s hope is that he’ll start for the Padres next week.
The 38-year-old from Japan, who made his Major League debut in 2012 for the Texas Rangers, was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Opening Day.
He had made two starts in spring training, putting up a 4.05 ERA with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
In 2024, Darvish compiled a 3.31 earned-run average with 78 strikeouts in 16 starts. A five-time All-Star, he had a career-best 1.98 ERA in the postseason in 13.2 innings.
The Chihuahuas enter Wednesday night’s game at Las Vegas with a 20-20 record. The 8:35 p.m. start can be heard on 600 ESPN El Paso.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Yu Darvish set for one-and-done start with Chihuahuas, aims for Padres return
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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