MLB News: Darvish Shut Down for the Season

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What’s Next for the Padres? 

The world of baseball was buzzing with the latest news from the MLB Franchise San Diego Padres: their ace starter, Yu Darvish, has been sidelined for the rest of the 2023 season. Citing a stress reaction in his olecranon – the elbow’s bony point – Darvish and the team’s management deemed it wise to shelve him for now. 

In August, after an MRI revealed a stress reaction in his right elbow, a sense of déjà vu washed over the fans. Darvish had been down this road before. In 2018, while with the Chicago Cubs, he suffered from a similar ailment and subsequently underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in September. That particular setback followed what had been an injury-marred debut season for him with the Cubs. However, Darvish made a strong comeback in 2019, pitching a full season for the Cubs.

Fast forward to 2023, and there are undeniable parallels in Darvish’s injury pattern. After imaging revealed the recent stress reaction following his game in Milwaukee on August 25, Darvish took a cortisone shot in a bid to mitigate the inflammation. Unfortunately, this resulted in an unusual irritation in his elbow. With the medical and team advice at hand, he will now undertake a resting period of five to six weeks.

The question on everyone’s mind is: what does this mean for Darvish’s future?

Currently, it’s uncertain if Darvish will require another surgery. The silver lining is his past; having rebounded effectively post-surgery in 2019 provides hope for a similar, if not stronger, comeback. However, the very recurrence of such a stress reaction in his elbow does cast shadows on his durability as he advances in age.

Padres already thinking of MLB Season 2024

Additionally, this setback raises pertinent questions about the Padres’ roster plans for 2024. Darvish’s tumultuous season, reminiscent of his 2018 performance, coupled with his age – 37 years – brews uncertainty. The Padres had envisioned a flourishing tenure when they extended Darvish’s contract in February, sealing a deal running through 2028 worth a whopping $108 million. This recent injury saga is certainly not what the Padres had in mind, rendering the contract questionable, especially when considered alongside the team’s other questionable contracts. It seems hard to envision a scenario where this juggernaut of a payroll will have interesting MLB Lines due to the mediocre track record. 

The pitching woes for the Padres don’t end with Darvish. Joe Musgrove, battling shoulder capsule inflammation, seems on the brink of being sidelined too. Furthermore, with the team’s almost definite exclusion from the playoffs and the potential free agency of Blake Snell and Michael Wacha on the horizon, the Padres are on shaky ground. MLB Odds won’t favor them until their pitching situation is clearer. 

Considering the backdrop of this season – with a record of 68-77, lagging 20 games behind in the National League West, and eight games away from a wild-card spot – the Padres need to recalibrate. For a solid 2024 season, having Musgrove and Darvish fit and at their peak will be crucial.

To zoom out and look at the bigger picture, Darvish’s performance since joining the Padres has been laudable. Last season, he boasted a 3.10 ERA with 197 strikeouts in 194 2/3 innings. Across his career, spanning 1,624 1/2 innings, he has maintained a commendable 3.59 ERA.

In conclusion, while the Padres find themselves in a tough spot, the baseball community awaits Darvish’s return with bated breath. A seasoned player of his stature is bound to make waves once back on the field. However, the Padres management will need to make some strategic decisions in the off-season, keeping in mind the health and performance of their star players, especially if they wish to revive their glory and fan enthusiasm in the coming seasons.
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