Darvish will not start Tuesday for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic final against Team USA, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will instead be Shota Imanaga on the mound to begin the contest. Davish was the presumed starter for the contest, and it's likely both he and Shohei Ohtani will be available out of the bullpen for the championship contest with Darvish likely available for multiple innings. Padres manager Bob Melvin has expressed concern about the lack of innings Darvish has received in the tournament, so it'll be interesting to see how much -- if at all -- the 36-year-old pitches against USA on Tuesday.

Padres manager Bob Melvin expressed concern Thursday about Darvish's lack of usage in the World Baseball Classic, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish was brought on in relief for Team Japan in Wednesday's win over Team Italy, and he has logged only five total innings so far in the WBC. Opening Day is just two weeks away, and the Padres are worried that the ace right-hander won't be fully built up out of the gate. Maybe he can be pushed a little longer in the next round(s) of the tournament to mitigate some of the frustration coming out of Padres camp. Japan is set to play a semifinal game Monday.

San Diego manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Darvish, who is currently pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, may not pitch in any Cactus League contests upon his return to the Padres, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish made his spring pitching debut for Japan in the WBC on March 10, allowing three runs (two earned) over three innings. It's unclear how Japan's rotation lines up moving forward, but if Darvish doesn't throw in Thursday's quarterfinal contest against Italy early Thursday, he could potentially pitch in the semifinal or championship game, if Japan advances it that far. In such a scenario, the Padres could opt to rest him for the remainder of the spring slate, especially if they plan to put him on the mound for the team's Opening Day matchup versus Colorado on March 30. The WBC provides a much more competitive atmosphere than Cactus League exhibition contests, so Darvish's participation in the tournament could provide enough of a ramp-up to prepare him for the regular season.

Darvish pitched three innings for Team Japan against Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic on Friday, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

After inking a six-year extension with San Diego in early February, Darvish took a measured approach to the start of the spring training, as he didn't pitch in any Cactus League contests before joining Japan for the WBC. The veteran right-hander started smoothly in Friday's game against Korea, retiring the first six batters he faced. However, he gave up three runs in the third inning, including two on a home run by Euji Yang. The rough frame shouldn't deter fantasy managers from pursuing Darvish in drafts, where he's generally been going among the top-25 starting pitchers.

Darvish and the Padres agreed Thursday to a six-year, $108 million contract extension, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell and Mark Feinsand.

EDGE Analysis

This deal could keep Darvish in San Diego through 2028, pushing into his early-40s. Prior to the new agreement, the 36-year-old right-hander was due $18 million in 2023 with free agency looming next winter. Darvish delivered a stellar 3.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 197:37 K:BB across 194.2 regular-season innings (30 starts) last season for the Friars. He also registered a 2.88 ERA and 23:6 K:BB over 25 innings (four starts) in the 2022 playoffs. It's the third different six-year contract of his illustrious MLB career.

Darvish did not factor in the decision during Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies in Game 5 of the NLCS, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish recorded his second quality start the NLCS, but the San Diego bullpen was unable to hold on for the victory, eliminating the Padres from the postseason. With two outs in the third inning, a walk followed by a two-run homer from Rhys Hoskins accounted for Darvish's two earned runs, but the 36-year-old righty was still in line for the win until Bryce Harper's go-ahead homer off Robert Suarez. Nonetheless, Darvish had a solid postseason run on the mound, earning a 2.88 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 25 innings, the most he has thrown in a postseason.

Darvish (0-1) took the loss Tuesday night, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out seven in the 2-0 defeat to the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLCS.

EDGE Analysis

Despite being charged with the loss, Darvish pitched a solid game, but he was outdueled by Zack Wheeler. The Phillies were just 3-for-24 against Darvish, but two of his hits allowed were solo homers by Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. The Padres' ace is struggling to limit home runs in the postseason -- he has allowed six earned runs across three starts, and all six runs have come from solo homers. Nonetheless, Darvish has a 2.84 ERA in the postseason while striking out 18 batters across 19 innings.

Darvish will start Game 1 of the NLCS against the Phillies on Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish has been relatively effective over his first two postseason starts, posting a 3.00 ERA, 11:2 K:BB and 1.25 WHIP in 12 innings. He would've started Game 5 of the NLDS on short rest if needed, but he'll have a few additional days to rest before the NLCS begins Tuesday.

Darvish (16-8) allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish threw 70 of 104 pitches for strikes in a solid outing, but he was responsible for all three of the White Sox's runs. The right-hander had won six straight starts entering Friday, though he managed to extend his streak of quality starts to eight. For the year, he has a 3.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 197:37 K:BB through 194.2 innings across 30 starts. Darvish is tentatively lined up for a home start versus San Francisco next week, though it's unclear if he'll ultimately pitch again in the regular season or be saved until the playoffs should the Padres secure their spot.

Darvish (16-7) earned the win during Saturday's 9-3 victory over Colorado, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish rebounded after surrendering a leadoff Ryan McMahon home run in the first inning to limit Colorado to only one more run over the next five frames, and fell in line for his fourth-best 16th win after San Diego plated three runs by the fifth. The 36-year-old fired 63 of 87 pitches for strikes with 17 of the swinging variety and has now won six straight starts, pitching to a 1.80 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 40 innings during the stretch. Darvish carries a 3.05 ERA and fourth-best 0.93 WHIP into his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend against the White Sox.