Padres decision on Yu Darvish from the restricted list has caused diverse contentious circumstances
The San Diego Padres reinstated right-hander Yu Darvish from the restricted list, ending a nearly three-month absence because of a groin strain and time away to tend to what was referred to as “a personal matter involving his family.”
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Padres designated infielder Matthew Batten for assignment. San Diego also sent left-hander Wandy Peralta on a rehab assignment to Class A Lake Elsinore.
A five-time All-Star, Darvish is 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 11 starts this season, as he also missed time in April because of a neck issue. In 12 major league seasons, he is 107-88 with a 3.58 ERA in 277 starts for the Texas Rangers (2012-17), Los Angeles Dodgers (2017), Chicago Cubs (2018-20) and Padres.
After winning 11 of 13 games to pull within two games of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, the Padres have lost three of their past five games and trail Los Angeles by 4½ games.
Batten, 29, played his lone game with the Padres this season in April and had a hit in three at-bats. Peralta, 33, is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 41 relief appearances this season and has not appeared in a major league game since July 9 because of a left adductor strain.
The San Diego Padres have been one of the best teams in baseball this summer, surging up the standings and skyrocketing their playoff odds. With the postseason race tightening and the NL West still up for grabs, San Diego would certainly benefit from getting Yu Darvish and Fernando Tatis Jr. back
Tatis last appeared in the Padres lineup on June 21, when he suffered a stress reaction in his right thigh bone. The All-Star outfielder has already been sidelined for two months, creating a significant talent drain in the Padres lineup.
While others have stepped up in his place, San Diego is still missing one of its most dangerous hitters. The injury also occurred at the worst possible time, as Tatis Jr. had a 1.062 OPS in June and played at an MVP-caliber level.
Fortunately, per USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale, Tatis will begin a rehab assignment this week with the Padres’ minor-league affiliates. While he’ll need a bit of an extended stay following a two-month layoff, he will rejoin the Padres lineup in early September as long as he avoids a setback.
San Diego has dealt with a myriad of issues with its pitching staff this season. Joe Musgrove spent extensive time on the injured list, depriving the Padres of one of their best starters. To make things even worse, Yu Darvish hasn’t pitched since May 29.
