Padres manager Mike Shildt said Friday that Darvish (elbow) is "probably not" going to start for the Padres on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the Padres in the midst of playing 10 games in 10 days and having a hole in their rotation for Sunday, there was some speculation that Darvish -- who hasn't pitched in the big leagues yet this year -- could be activated off the IL to make his season debut. However, that doesn't appear to be in San Diego's plans despite the fact that Darvish tossed 64 pitches in his most recent simulated game Tuesday. The Padres may instead want the veteran right-hander to make at least one minor-league rehab start before being ready to pitch for the big club, but it remains uncertain how the team will handle Sunday's open rotation spot. Cassavell suggests that a starter could be called up from the minors, but the situation remains nebulous.

Darvish (elbow) threw a four-inning, 64-pitch simulated game Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish faced off against Single-A Lake Elsinore hitters in the sim game, his third since the middle of the June. The Padres have been cagey about offering up a target date for his return from the 60-day injured list, but Darvish's season debut appears to be imminent. Though pitchers who have missed as much time as Darvish has typically head out on rehab assignments before being activated, the Padres could deem his sim games as being sufficient enough as he prepares for a return from the IL. After optioning fifth starter Matt Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, the Padres currently have an opening in the rotation for Sunday against the Rangers, and it wouldn't be overly surprising if Darvish was being earmarked for that contest if he's feeling well physically following Tuesday's sim game.

Darvish (elbow) will throw another simulated game Tuesday, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish threw 51 pitches in a simulated game last Wednesday and should increase that pitch count during Tuesday's session. The veteran right-hander could be ready for a rehab start after that. Darvish has been sidelined all season with right elbow inflammation, but he's pushing to return before the All-Star break.

Darvish (elbow) threw three simulated innings against Single-A hitters Wednesday, Yuki Yamada of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Yamada, Darvish threw 51 pitches, and his fastball topped out at 94.5 mph. The right-hander threw about 10 more pitches than in his previous sim game June 20, so he appears to be gradually ramping up toward a return. Darvish stated after the contest that he's not sure what his next step will be, but he suggested that he could pitch in a minor-league game soon. The veteran hurler also said he'd like to return to the majors before the All-Star break but qualified that statement by indicating that he's not sure if that will happen. Darvish has yet to pitch for the Padres this season, and his return could be a big boost to a San Diego rotation that's currently without Michael King (shoulder) and Ryan Bergert (forearm) as well as Joe Musgrove (elbow), who isn't expected to pitch until 2026.

Darvish (elbow) threw around two innings and 40 pitches in a simulated game Friday, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish continues to progress after having his throwing program temporarily paused as a result of experiencing soreness following a rehab appearance May 14. The veteran hurler was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 16, though that was primarily a procedural move since he had already missed more than 60 days at that point. The Padres have expressed optimism that Darvish will be able to make his return to the team's rotation by the end of June, but that scenario is looking iffy given that he hasn't yet resumed a rehab assignment.

Darvish (elbow) is scheduled to throw another simulated game Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The upcoming sim game will be Darvish's second in just under a week, as he previously threw approximately 40 pitches against live hitters Saturday. If all goes well during Friday's throwing session, Darvish could then be cleared to head out on a rehab assignment next week. The right-hander has been on the shelf all season due to elbow inflammation, but he looks like he could be ready to make his 2025 debut with the Padres at some point in late June or early July.

The Padres transferred Darvish (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The move makes room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Bryce Johnson, whose contract was selected by the Padres from Triple-A El Paso. Darvish started the season on the IL due to right elbow inflammation, and his throwing program was paused in May after he experienced soreness. However, the veteran right-hander threw a simulated game Saturday and appears to be on track to return to the Padres' rotation in late June or early July.

Darvish (elbow) is expected to throw around 40 pitches in a simulated game Saturday, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish continues to inch toward his Padres season debut, with Saturday's scheduled sim game coming after he tossed multiple bullpen sessions in the early part of June. The veteran right-hander threw four innings in a minor-league rehab start with Double-A San Antonio on May 14, but he experienced some soreness afterward and temporarily halted his throwing program. The Padres have remained very patient with Darvish and appear content to allow the hurler take as much time as he needs to ramp up before he joins the big-league rotation, though a late-June or early July activation remains on the table.

The Padres are optimistic Darvish (elbow) will be ready to make his season debut before the end of June, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish had a setback with his right elbow following his lone rehab start in mid-May, but he threw his second bullpen session in as many days Tuesday. Both mound sessions were low intensity, with Darvish topping out at 90 mph, but he's slated to throw a more intense bullpen session Friday. There is no firm timetable for Darvish's return, with manager Mike Shildt saying the 38-year-old is "going to create his own timelines with us."

Darvish (elbow) is expected to throw a bullpen session in San Francisco on Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After experiencing tightness following his minor-league rehab start with Double-A San Antonio on May 14, Darvish was shut down for a couple weeks before he resumed playing catch. According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Darvish stepped back on a mound Saturday and threw about six or seven pitches at less-than-full intensity, and with that brief workout apparently going well, he'll take the next step forward in his progression by throwing a formal bullpen session. The Padres haven't mapped out a plan for Darvish beyond Tuesday, and though he remains without a clear timeline to make his season debut, the team maintains that he won't require an extended ramp-up period. Cassavell suggests that Darvish may need just one or two rehab starts before rejoining the big-league rotation, perhaps at some point in mid-to-late June.