Yu Darvish Returns to Pitch for Padres

Yu Darvish, the San Diego Padres' veteran pitcher, has been working out and throwing independently since being placed on the restricted list on July 6. Observers report that he appears healthy and in good form, suggesting he may be considering a return this season. Darvish, a three-time Opening Day starter for the Padres, was initially sidelined due to a left groin strain on May 30, before being placed on the restricted list due to personal family matters. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, the Padres remain optimistic. A.J. Preller, the team's president of baseball operations, indicated that the door is still open for Darvish to pitch again, emphasizing that the decision will depend on when he feels ready to focus on baseball. Prior to his injury, Darvish had a solid performance with a 3.20 ERA over 11 starts, showcasing his value to the team. The Padres have been performing well, winning 16 of their last 20 games since the All-Star break, and are currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the National League wild-card spot. They are also just four games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West standings. Darvish's absence has potentially saved the team nearly $3 million in salary, as he is in the second year of a six-year, $108 million contract extension. As Darvish approaches his 38th birthday, the Padres and their fans remain hopeful for his return, which could significantly impact their postseason aspirations.