Padres get major Yu Darvish news with retirement rumor

The San Diego Padres have been looking to land a new starting pitcher this offseason, and will continue to look for a new starter even after signing Michael King for $75 million.

Part of why they have such a big need, other than the departure of Dylan Cease, is that Yu Darvish is injured and will miss the entire 2026 MLB season.

However, that's not the end of the major rumors on Darvish for the Padres. According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Darvish is planning to retire from Major League Baseball this offseason.

Padres get a major Yu Darvish retirement rumor

"Yu Darvish does not plan to pitch again in the major leagues," Acee writes. "The 39-year-old right-hander, who has been one of the best starting pitchers of his era, has told the Padres he will retire with three years and $43 million remaining on his contract."

Darvish has played in the Major Leagues for a long time and has been a great pitcher.  But after a torn UCL that required surgery in his right elbow became apparent, his future in the Majors became murky.

The five-time All-Star is set to retire after 13 years in the Major Leagues. His final season will be a 15-start 2025, when he had a 5.38 ERA.

But, in his Major League career, Darvish has a 3.65 ERA with 115 wins, 93 losses, and 33.6 career bWAR. It's been an impressive career for the Japanese right-hander, but it looks like it's coming to an end.

There is an unexpected twist to this retirement news, however. As Bob Nightengale of USA Today shares from Darvish's agent, Joel Wolfe, "Yu has not made a final decision yet. This is a complicated matter we are still working through."

More: MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency

This update from Darvish's agent is an interesting one. While the retirement news isn't being completely squashed, the decision isn't as final yet, as Acee's report notes.

While Darvish might not have officially made his decision, based on his age, injury, and uncertainty going forward, it would not be a surprise if he officially announced his retirement at some point.

Despite Acee's report indicating Darvish has told the team he's retiring, his agent is refuting it, and indicating no such decision has been made yet.

This will be something worth closely following, but regardless of the decision, it would not be a surprise if Darvish did retire based on his injury and age.

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