Yu Darvish is a legendary figure in Japan and was the most sought-after international player before the 2012 season. He joined the Texas Rangers through a record posting bid, using a diverse, double-digit pitch mix to earn four All-Star selections. After notable stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, he was part of a major winter trade in December 2020, joining the San Diego Padres to lead their competitive, win-now rotation.
Darvish began his run in San Diego, turned slicing up National League bats into a strict personal routine, forming a highly seamless, productive chemistry with his personal catcher, Victor Caratini, who followed him over in the Cubs transaction. The tandem worked in perfect harmony all summer, with Darvish capturing his fifth career Major League All-Star selection during a strong debut campaign in a Padres uniform.
In 2022, Darvish posted an impressive 16–8 record, leading his team with a remarkable 3.10 ERA, an exceptional 0.95 WHIP, and 197 strikeouts over 194.2 innings. He further demonstrated outstanding composure during the 2022 postseason, securing two pivotal starts that contributed significantly to guiding the underdog Friars to an memorable appearance in the National League Championship Series. Furthermore, he ranked eighth in Cy Young Award voting for that year.
However, performance leaks that inevitably caught up to him as he advanced through his late 30s. Following a solid but abbreviated 2024 showing, his 2025 campaign turned into a highly frustrating, lopsided battle with structural efficiency. Darvish wrestled with uncharacteristic command leaks across 15 starts, finishing a bumpy 2025 stretch with a 5–5 record and a bloated 5.38 ERA over 72.0 innings.
The ultimate physical crossroads arrived late in the year when severe elbow damage forced him to undergo a complex internal brace surgery and flexor tendon repair. Darvish elected to be placed on the restricted list, gracefully foregoing his entire salary to provide the front office with critical fiscal flexibility while he dedicates himself to a grueling rehab process.
At 39, his future is uncertain, but he nevertheless did enough to earn a spot on this list.
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