Darvish (elbow) is expected to throw a higher-intensity bullpen session this weekend, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Darvish has been throwing off the bullpen mound recently, Acee compared those sessions to "glorified games of catch" due to their low intensity. However, the veteran hurler is expected to throw at closer to full intensity this weekend, which should give San Diego a better indication of how far away he is from a return. Acee suggests that Darvish will likely need at least three or four bullpen sessions before he's able to face live hitters and adds that the right-hander probably won't be ready to pitch in big-league games until late May or early June.

Darvish (elbow) has been playing long toss out to 180 feet, but he's likely at least three weeks away from being activated off the injured list, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish landed on the 15-day injured list in late March due to right elbow inflammation. The veteran hurler threw 11 pitches to a catcher standing up in the bullpen at less-than-full intensity Saturday, per Talking Friars, so he at least seems to be making some progress, but it doesn't appear that he's close to seeing game action. Acee suggests that Darvish will need multiple bullpen sessions and a minimum of two minor-league rehab appearances before he's able to join San Diego's rotation, putting his earliest possible return date in early May.

The Padres placed Darvish (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish was shut down from throwing in the middle of spring training due to right elbow inflammation, but he seems to be making some progress, as he was spotted playing catch Tuesday. Even so, Darvish will likely require a lengthy buildup and may not be ready to return from the IL during the first month of the season.

Darvish (elbow) played light catch Wednesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wednesday marks the first time Darvish has done any sort of throwing since being shut down last week with inflammation in his right elbow. He's set to be placed on the injured list before the Padres' regular-season opener Thursday, and a clearer timeline for the veteran righty's return may emerge once he's cleared to resume mound work.

Manager Mike Shildt said Friday that Darvish (elbow) will miss the start of the regular season and has no official timeline for his return, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The news isn't exactly surprising given that Darvish was reported to be dealing with elbow inflammation this week, and it's now official that a stint on the injured list will be in store. The veteran right-hander will be shut down from throwing for an unspecified period before ramping his throwing program back up, so it's unclear when he might be ready for his 2025 debut.

Manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that Darvish experienced elbow inflammation after his last spring start, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was previously said to be dealing with "fatigue," which prevented him from starting Tuesday's spring game as scheduled. Darvish hasn't been shut down from throwing and played catch Tuesday, which indicates it isn't believed to be a serious issue. Still, the 38-year-old's availability for the start of the regular season is now in question.

Darvish had Sunday's bullpen session and Tuesday's scheduled spring start pushed back due to fatigue, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The severity of the issue is being downplayed, but it's a concerning development late in camp for the 38-year-old. Darvish will be evaluated daily to determine when he'll have his next bullpen session, and his outlook for the start of the season could change significantly if he's unable to throw for more than a few days.

Darvish allowed one run on two hits and issued two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a Cactus League contest against Kansas City on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish looked better Thursday than he did in his spring debut March 8, when he allowed two runs over 2.2 frames. The veteran right-hander threw 54 pitches, 26 percent of which were curveballs, Thursday -- by comparison, he went to the curve just 8.6 percent of the time during the 2024 regular season. Darvish did use his curveball more often late in the campaign last year, and his usage of the pitch in the early going this spring suggests he may continue that trend into 2025.

Darvish pitched 2.2 innings in a Cactus League contest against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish allowed a double and issued a walk in the first frame but emerged unscathed on the scoreboard. He breezed through a 1-2-3 second inning but struggled in the third, yielding three singles and hitting a batter with a pitch to allow two runs to score before being lifted with two outs. Despite Darvish's unimpressive results, the Padres were likely pleased with his outing, as he tossed 57 pitches, induced seven whiffs and averaged 94.3 mph on his fastball -- up from the 93.9 mph he averaged last year -- in his first game action of the exhibition slate. The veteran right-hander is slated to work as San Diego's No. 3 starter this season.

Darvish won't appear in a Cactus League contest until early March, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish isn't dealing with any injury, but rather than ask him to take part in Cactus League competition, the Padres have thus far had him toss a simulated game and then throw in an intrasquad game. The veteran hurler tossed two scoreless frames Monday in the intrasquad affair, and he expressed afterward that he was happy with the results. Darvish figures to slot in behind Dylan Cease and Michael King in San Diego's rotation this season.