Yu Darvish

Yu Darvish
Darvish with theSan Diego Padresin 2022
San Diego Padres – No. 11
Pitcher
Born:(1986-08-16)August 16, 1986 Habikino, Osaka,Japan
Bats:Right Throws:Right
Professional debut
NPB:June 15, 2005, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
MLB:April 9, 2012, for the Texas Rangers
NPB statistics (through 2011 season)
Win–loss record	93–38
Earned run average	1.99
Strikeouts	1,250
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	110–88
Earned run average	3.58
Strikeouts	2,007
Teams
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters(2005–2011) Texas Rangers(2012–2014,2016–2017) Los Angeles Dodgers(2017) Chicago Cubs(2018–2020) San Diego Padres(2021–present)
Career highlights and awards
NPB 2×Pacific League MVP(2007, 2009) Eiji Sawamura Award(2007) Japan Series champion(2006) 3× Pacific League strikeout title (2007, 2010, 2011) 2× Pacific League ERA title (2009, 2010) 2× Pacific LeagueBest Nine Award(2007, 2009) 2× Pacific LeagueMitsui Golden Glove Award(2007, 2008) 2006Asia SeriesMVP 5×NPB All-Star(2007–2011) 2007 PLCS Second Stage MVP MLB 5×All-Star(2012–2014,2017,2021) All-MLB First Team(2020) NL wins leader(2020) AL strikeout leader(2013)
Medals RepresentingJapan Men's Baseball World Baseball Classic 2009 Los Angeles Team 2023 Miami Team Asian Baseball Championship 2007 Taichung Team

Faridoon Yu Darvish Sefat(ダルビッシュ・セファット・ファリドン.ド・ có,Darubisshu Sefatto Faridoon Yū,born August 16, 1986),more commonly known asYu Darvish(ダルビッシュ có ), is a Japaneseprofessional baseballpitcherfor theSan Diego PadresofMajor League Baseball(MLB). Darvish has also played in MLB for theTexas Rangers,Los Angeles Dodgers,andChicago Cubsand inNippon Professional Baseballfor theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.In international play, Darvish pitched in the2008 Beijing Olympicsand the2009 World Baseball Classicas a member of theJapan national baseball team.

He was considered by many to be the best pitcher inNippon Professional Baseballprior to his arrival inMajor League Baseballin 2012.In his first MLB season, Darvish finished third in theAmerican League(AL)Rookie of the Yearballoting. The next season, he finished second in the ALCy Young Awardvote by leading MLB instrikeoutswith 277 and finishing fourth in the AL inearned run average(ERA) at 2.83. In April 2014, Darvish reached the 500-strikeout mark in fewerinnings pitchedthan any starting pitcher in MLB history. He pitched in the2017 World Seriesfor the Dodgers, where his underwhelming performance was later attributed to being a victim of theHouston Astros sign stealing scandal.He was named an All-Star for the Padres in 2021.

Darvish has recorded the most strikeouts by a Japanese-born pitcher in MLB history, and was the first Japanese pitcher to 2,000 MLB strikeouts.

Early life

Darvish was bornFarid Yu Darvish Sefat(ダルビッシュ・セファット・ファリード・ có)inHabikino, Osaka,to a Japanese mother, Ikuyo, and Iranian father, Farsad Darvish Sefat.His father played for theFlorida State Universitysoccer team, and met Ikuyo atEckerd Collegein Florida.His paternal grandfather owned a travel agency in Iran and sent Farsad to the United States in 1977 to attendBerkshire SchoolinBerkshire County, Massachusetts,where he played soccer and raced competitively inmotocross.

Darvish began playing baseball in second grade and led his team to the quarterfinals of the nationaltournamentas well as athird-place finishin the international tournament as a member of the Habikino Boys. He wasscoutedby over 50 high schools while injunior high.He opted to attendTohoku High Schoolin NorthernSendai,a baseball powerhouse that produced players such as formerSeattle MarinersandYokohama BayStarscloserKazuhiro Sasakiand former BayStars andLos Angeles DodgersrelieverTakashi Saito.

High school career

Darvish became Tohoku High's ace pitcher by the fall of his first year (the equivalent of tenth grade in the United States) and led his team to four straight appearances innational tournamentsheld atKoshien Stadiumin his junior and senior years, twice in theNational High School Baseball Invitational Tournamentheld in the spring and twice in theNational High School Baseball Championshipin the summer.

Darvish led his team to thefinalsof the 85th National High School Baseball Championship in the summer of 2003 but gave up fourrunsto Joso Gakuin High School, theIbarakichampions, in acomplete gameloss.

Darvish attracted national attention when he pitched ano-hitteragainstKumamotoTechnical High School in the first round of the 76th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament as a senior on March 26, 2004.The team lost in the quarter-finals despite stellar outings by Darvish andsidearmerKenji Makabe (currently withHonda Motor Company'sindustrial league team). He pitched 12 games and put up a 7–3recordwith 87strikeoutsin 92innings pitchedand a 1.47ERAin his four national tournament appearances, and posted a 1.10 ERA for his high school career, striking out 375 in332+1⁄3innings (67 appearances).

2004 draft

Darvish was scouted byMajor Leagueteams, such as theAnaheim AngelsandAtlanta Braves,even while in junior high. As he entered his senior year of high school, theLos Angeles Angels,Los Angeles Dodgers,andNew York Metshad expressed interest in signing him,but Darvish's intent remained to play for a Japanese professional team instead.

Darvish was considered one of the best high school pitchers in the 2004 NPBamateur draftalong with Yokohama Senior High Schoolright-handerHideaki Wakui(later picked by theSeibu Lions) andAkitaMunicipal AkitaCommercial High Schoolright-hander Tsuyoshi Sato (Hiroshima Toyo Carp). While the Fighters, Carp,Chunichi Dragons,Fukuoka Daiei Hawks,andOrix BlueWaveall considered selecting Darvish with their first-round pick in the final months, the Fighters were one of the few teams that chose not to forgo the first round in exchange for signing a college or industrial league player prior to the draft. This enabled them to land Darvish with their first-round pick in November 17 draft,signing him to a base salary of¥15,000,000, asigning bonusof ¥100,000,000, and additional performance-based incentives (the equivalent of what a first-round college or industrial league player would normally receive) on December 17.

Professional career

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2005–2011)

2005 season

Darvish received further publicity when he was caught smoking in apachinkoparlor on an off-day during his first Spring training in2005,despite not being old enough to legally smoke nor to gamble at the time. The incident prompted his high school to suspend him, and the Fighters to place him under probation for an indefinite period and order him to participate in community service.

Despite his suspension, Darvish made his professional debut later that season, taking the mound in an interleague game against the Carp on June 15. Though he gave up back-to-back solohome runsin the ninth, he pitched 8+inningson those two runs alone and earned thewin,becoming the 12th pitcher in NPB history to earn a win in one's professional debut as arookiestraight out of high school. He recorded his first complete game win on August 6 against the Lions and his first complete gameshutouton September 18, holding theTohoku Rakuten Golden Eaglesto just twohitsand becoming the 14th pitcher in NPB history to throw a complete-game shutout as a rookie out of high school. He finished the season with a 5–5 record in 14 starts, throwing94+1⁄3innings with an ERA of 3.53.

2006 season

Darvish had a breakout year in2006,compiling a 12–5 record with 115 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA.In particular, he went 10–0 after May 30, playing a leading role in the Fighters' firstPacific Leaguetitle since1981(his win streak lasted until April 14 of the following season, when it reached 12–0) and contributing to their first championship since1961in theJapan Seriesover the Dragons. Darvish was chosen to take the hill for the first game of each of the Pacific Leagueplayoffs,Japan Series,and the2006 Asia Series(played between the champions of Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea at the end of the season). Darvish, then 20 years old, became the first pitcher to start a Japan Series game since 1987 while under the age of 21, and the fifth pitcher in NPB history towina Japan Series game at that age with his win in game 5 of the series. He also won theAsia SeriesMost Valuable Playeraward.

2007 season

Darvish pitching for theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fightersin2007

Darvish was named the Fighters' starter for their2007season opener, becoming the fourth pitcher in franchise history (including the Fighters' years as theSenators and Flyers) to start a season opener within three years of graduating high school (the other three pitchers all started season openers as rookies). He struck out 14 over nine innings in ano-decisionin his second start against the Lions on March 30 (the game ended a 2–2tieinextra innings) and 14 again in a complete game win in his next start against theFukuoka SoftBank Hawkson April 7, becoming the second pitcher in Japanese professional baseball history to strike out 14 or more batters in two consecutive starts.

Darvish went on to post a 15–5 record with a 1.82 ERA (falling just 0.003 points short of the league lead, which went toChiba Lotte Marinesleft-handerYoshihisa Naruse) for the year, limiting hitters to a.174batting average againstand leading the league with 210 strikeouts.He led the Fighters to their second consecutive league title, winning both of his starts in the second round of theClimax Series(playoffs) against the Marines.

Darvish took the mound in game 1 of theJapan Seriesthat followed on October 27 against the Dragons for the second straight year, pitching a 13-strikeout, complete game win in an intensepitchers' duelwith then-Dragons aceKenshin Kawakamiand becoming the third pitcher in Japan Series history to strike out 13 or more batters in a single game.With the Fighters down 3–1 and facing elimination, Darvish started game 5 on November 1 and held the Dragons to one run over seven innings while striking out 11. However, the Fighters had no answer for opposing right-handerDaisuke Yamaiand closerHitoki Iwase,failing to get a single manon baseand allowing the firstperfect gamein Japan Series history. (However, the game was not an official perfect game according to NPB regulations, which state that a perfect game must be thrown by a single pitcher.) The Dragons won the game 1–0, charging Darvish with the loss and becoming Japan Series champions.The 24 strikeouts that Darvish totaled in his two starts were the second-highest by any single pitcher in series history (and the highest in a series that went only five games).

Darvish was presented with both his first careerEiji Sawamura Award(being the first to meet or exceed guidelines for the award in all seven categories in 14 years) and his firstMost Valuable Playeraward following the season. He also won the Golden Glove andBest Nineawards that year.

Darvish made hisnational teamdebut in the2007 Asian Baseball Championship(which also functioned as the Asian qualifying tournament for the2008 Beijing Olympics) againstChinese Taipeion December 3, 2007. Because Japanese law requires that a person holdingdual citizenshipchoose a single nationality before their twenty-second birthday, Darvish had chosen to retain his Japanese citizenship so that he could play for the national team in the Olympics.

On December 22, Darvish re-signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters for ¥200,000,000 plus payment at piece rates, up ¥128,000,000 from 2006. At 21 years old, Darvish became the youngest player in Japanese baseball history to reach the ¥200,000,000 mark.

2008 season

In2008,Darvish was named the Fighters' starter in the season opener for the second consecutive year, pitching a complete gameshutoutin that very game (the Fighters won 1–0). Even as his team struggled in the opening months of the season, Darvish continued to rack up wins at a pace that exceeded his own in the previous season. As the year went on, he and Eagles aceHisashi Iwakumaemerged as the league leaders in both wins and ERA. On April 10, in their only match-up of the season, neither gave up a singlehitthrough the first five innings. Iwakumawent the distance,throwing just 100pitchesand giving up just one run on three hits; yet Darvish topped this, throwing another complete-game shutout on three hits and just 95 pitches in one of the best pitchers' duels of the season.

While he did not pitch the way he had hoped in the Olympics, Darvish promptly put up a perfect 5–0 record with a 1.29 ERA and two complete games in the five starts upon returning to the Fighters, leading them to a playoff berth in a heated race against the Marines. While the Fighters failed to make the Japan Series, Darvish took the mound in two playoff games, giving up one run in a complete game win in one and pitching a complete-game shutout in another. Although he lost out to Iwakuma (who put up an astonishing 21–4 record) in wins, he finished second in all threeTriple Crowncategories, finishing the season with a 16–4 record, 1.88 ERAand 208 strikeouts. (It was his second straight year putting up an ERA under 2.00, throwing more than 200 innings, and striking out over 200 hitters despite missing time due to the Olympics.) Regardless, the Sawamura Award was presented to Iwakuma, and Darvish became just the second pitcher to clear the guidelines in all seven categories tonotwin the award (Suguru Egawawas the first in 1982).

Darvish took the mound in game 1 of the first round of theClimax Seriesagainst theOrix Buffaloeson October 11, allowing nine hits but holding the team to one run while striking out 14 in a 4–1 complete game win.He started game 2 of the second round against theSaitama Seibu Lionson October 18 and pitched a complete-game shutout in a 5–0 win,but the Fighters lost the series 4–2 and fell short of their third straight appearance in the Japan Series.

On December 1, Darvish re-signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters for ¥270,000,000 plus payment at piece rates, up ¥70,000,000 from 2007.

2009 season

Darvish started the Fighters' season opener for the third straight year in2009,taking the mound against the Eagles on April 3 in a matchup with the reigning Sawamura Award winner andWorld Baseball Classicteammate Hisashi Iwakuma. Darvish gave up three runs in the first inning but went the distance, allowing no runs from the second inning onward in a 121-pitch, complete-game loss (Iwakuma held the Fighters to one run over six innings and was credited with the win).On April 24, he struck out six straight and 11 overall en route to a four-hit, complete-game shutout (his first of the season) over the Buffaloes,following it up by holding the Lions to one run and striking out 11 over nine innings in a no-decision in a match-up with fellow 22-year-old ace Hideaki Wakui on May 1 (the Fighters lost 2–1 in extra innings).

On August 22, Darvish was taken off the active roster for the first time in his career due to injury. The Fighters classified it as "shoulder fatigue", and the deactivation came after a career-worst start against theFukuoka SoftBank Hawks,in which he went eight innings, but gave up six earned runs in a losing effort. He was reactivated on September 13, but in his second start back a week later against theOrix Buffaloes,Darvish gave up a career-high seven walks in five innings, and two runs. Three days later he was deactivated again due to discomfort in his shoulder and a sore back.

Darvish was activated again just in time for the 2009 Japan Series against theCentral LeaguechampionYomiuri Giants,and he pitched game 2 on November 1. He went six innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, and also striking out 7 Giants. He became the winning pitcher, and the team won 4–2. The Yomiuri Giants would go on and win the championship series 4 games to 1. After the Japan Series, It was revealed that Yu had a stress fracture of the right-hand forefinger. Darvish said he first experienced pain after practice on October 28 but kept it to himself. Also, he was unable to fully use the lower part of his body due to hip pains.

Darvish was presented with his secondMost Valuable PlayerandBest Nineawards at the end of the season. He became the third player to have won 2 MVP awards in their first five years in the NPB, joiningKazuhisa InaoandIchiro Suzuki.However, he lost out on his second Sawamura Award to Saitama Seibu Lions aceHideaki Wakui.

On December 9, Darvish re-signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters for ¥330,000,000, up ¥60,000,000 from 2009. At 23, Darvish became the youngest player in Japanese baseball history to reach the ¥300,000,000 mark, along with being the highest-paid pitcher in thePacific Leaguepresently.

2010 season

Darvish's 2010 season was another strong individual performance, but he struggled to win as many games due to the Fighters' troubles. The Fighters finished 74–67,but in fourth place. His opening-day loss was reflective of his 2010 season; he pitched well but the team struggled. He began the 2010 season losing to theFukuoka SoftBank Hawkson March 20. Darvish allowed two early unearned runs on his way to a complete game loss (5 runs allowed, 3 earned runs) striking out 13.The Fighters began the season with a 5–14–1 stretch that put them with their worst winning percentage in five years.They struggled in all phases of play, but Darvish continued to pitch well. Even at this low point, he was leading the league in strikeouts even as the rest of the rotation was 3–9.Darvish struck out at least 10 hitters in each of his first five starts.

Darvish's 2010 season also was noticeable because speculation increased about his potential move (orposting) toMajor League Baseball.Darvish was interviewed byThe Associated Presswhere he announced his plans to review his options at the end of the season. He noted, "Right now, I'm just focused on helping my team win this season... Once the season is over, I'll consider my future."The Associated Press noted that both his exposure to international play during the2009 World Baseball Classicand recurring injuries both led him to consider leaving Japan. In addition to back problems he also missed a start in June with a sore right knee.

Despite the injuries and potential distractions, Darvish pitched well down the stretch. His last three starts were all complete games and he struck out 35 hitters in those 27 innings.Darvish finished the season with only a 12–8 record, but with a 1.78 ERA.He led the league with 10 complete games, 222 strikeouts, a 1.01 WHIP. This was Darvish's fourth consecutive sub-2.00 ERA.

On October 18, 2010, Darvish posted on his blog that he would be returning to the Fighters for the 2011 season.

2011 season

On January 6, 2011, Darvish agreed to a contract for the 2011 season that would make him the highest-paid player in Japan.His salary was ¥500,000,000 (which on January 6 converted toUS$6,065,490).

The2011 Nippon Professional Baseball seasonwas delayed by theTohoku earthquake.Controversy emerged over when baseball should resume. Commissioner Ryozo Kato was criticized for comparing the resumption to the return of Major League Baseball ten days after theSeptember 11 attacks.Darvish was among the players who felt that it was not appropriate to quickly return to baseball, saying, "I am a baseball player and a human being as well. I cannot think about baseball alone as I normally do."Darvish took part in efforts to raise funds for the relief efforts and personally donated ¥50,000,000 (about US$620,000) to the Japanese Red Cross.

Eventually, the teams agreed to play the full 144-game schedule, but the start of the season would be pushed back several weeks.The season began on April 12, 2011, and Darvish started against theSaitama Seibu Lions.He struggled, allowing seven runs in seven innings and taking the loss.

This poor start would not reflect on his overall performance. After that opening game, he would not allow more than three runs in any of his starts. Darvish would win his next eight starts and thirteen of his next fourteen decisions.Darvish would finish with his strongest all-around season, winning 18 games and featuring a career-low 1.44 ERA. He also led the league with 28 starts, 232 innings, 276 strikeouts, and a 0.82 WHIP. He also featured remarkable control, walking only 36 batters.

Despite his accomplishments, Darvish was not recognized as the best pitcher in Japan's honor, theSawamura Award.Three of the five-member committee voted to recognize Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles right-handerMasahiro Tanaka.Selection committee chief Masayuki Dobashi explained, "ERA is the best stat to evaluate pitchers...Tanaka's ERA was a little better than that of Darvish. Tanaka also had more complete games than Darvish."Pitchers must qualify for the award by meeting seven criteria: 15 wins, a 2.50 ERA, 200 innings pitched, 10 complete games, 150 strikeouts, 25 appearances and a.600 winning percentage. Both Tanaka and Darvish met all the criteria. Tanaka noted, "I only had better numbers than him (Darvish)...As a pitcher, I'm nowhere near his caliber."

TheNippon Ham Fighterswere eliminated in the first round of thePacific Leagueplayoffs, losing both games to theSaitama Seibu Lions.Darvish started game one of the series, going seven innings and allowing only one run on four hits while striking out nine. After Darvish departed, Seibu scored one run in the 9th inning to send the game to extra innings and added three more to win the game in the 11th inning.

After being eliminated, speculation again increased about Darvish being posted toMajor League Baseball.His pending divorce allegedly complicated this situation. Speculation centered on his wife's potential claims to a share of a new contract with an American team.

Texas Rangers (2012–2017)

2012 season

In a press conference atSapporo Domeon January 24, 2012, Darvish told more than 10,000 Fighters fans why he decided to make a move to Major League Baseball.

Darvish waspostedtoMajor League Baseballprior to the 2012 season,and is currently represented byagentsDon NomuraandArn Tellem.He added confirmation of this posting on his blog.MLB teams had until December 14, 2011, to submit a blind posting bid, and the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters had until December 20, 2011, to announce whether the highest bid would be accepted or rejected. Their announcement of acceptance of the highest bid, from theTexas Rangers,was made on December 19, 2011EST,at a reported $51.7 million. The Rangers then had 30 days to negotiate with Darvish, or he would return to Japan.On January 18, 2012, the Texas Rangers signed Darvish to a US$60,000,000 contract for six years with a player option to void the last year, fifteen minutes prior to a 4:00 pm CST deadline. Rangers CEONolan Ryancommented that Darvish had shown more control than he did at Darvish's age.

Darvish pitching in thespring trainingbefore his debut season with the Texas Rangers.

Darvish's first start in the Majors came on April 9 against theSeattle Marinersin Texas. His first MLBstrikeoutwas ofDustin Ackleyon a 2–2 80 mphcurveball;the first MLBhitthat he allowed was asingleinto left field byIchiro Suzukion a 2–2 96 mphfastball.He threw for 52⁄3innings, giving up 8 hits, 5 runs, and 4 walks, and striking out five, gaining his first MLB win in the process. WhenAlexi Ogandocame to relieve him in the 6th, Darvish got a standing ovation from the crowd atRangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Darvish's first start away fromRangers Ballpark in Arlingtoncame on April 14 against theMinnesota TwinsatTarget Field.He pitched for 52⁄3innings, allowing 9 hits, 4 walks, and 2 runs (one of which was unearned), while collecting 4 strikeouts. Despite the Rangers winning the game, it was a no-decision for Darvish. Instead, teammateRobbie Rosspicked up the win.

On April 24, in a game against theNew York Yankees,Darvish pitched for 81⁄3shutout innings, collecting 10 strikeouts, while allowing seven hits and two walks. He gave up a hit toNick Swisherwith one out in the 9th.Joe Nathan,theRangers'closer,relieved him and induced a ground balldouble playto get the save and secure the third win for Darvish. As Nathan came in, Darvish received a deafening ovation from the crowd. This game also marked the seventh time in MLB history that the two starting pitchers were both Japanese, withHiroki Kurodaon the mound for the Yankees. The game was also televised in Japan.

On April 30, Darvish gave up his first MLBhome runtoEdwin Encarnaciónof theToronto Blue Jays,in a game that Texas won 4–1. Darvish improved to 4–0, striking out nine and giving up only one run.

For his performances in April, Darvish was named the AL Rookie of the Month. Darvish went 4–0 with a 2.18 ERA and 33 strikeouts. His first loss didn't come until May 6, against theCleveland Indians.

On June 20, in an interleague game against theSan Diego PadresatPetco Park,Darvish got his first career MLBhit.In his first at-bat, he hit a bat-shattering single into shallow right field. He did not get to run the bases however, asIan Kinslerhit a line shot to the second baseman, and Darvish was tagged off of the bag to complete the double play. He went 1-for-3 for the game.

On July 5, theMLBannounced that Yu Darvish for theAmerican LeagueandDavid Freesefor theNational Leaguewere the final two players to make the2012 MLB All-Star Gamerosters. Darvish had 10 wins and five losses with a 3.59 ERA when MLB announced him as an All-Star. However, Darvish didn't get a chance to pitch in the game, watching from the dugout as his team lost 8–0.

2013 season

On April 2, 2013, Darvish pitched a perfect game through 8 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros, before throwing asliderand giving up a single toMarwin González.He threw 111 pitches, striking out 14 and walking none.On May 27, Darvish became the first player sinceRandy JohnsonandCurt Schillingin 2002 to have 100 strikeouts byMemorial Day.On July 10, Darvish was placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained trapezius and was replaced on the All-Star roster byMatt Moore.On August 12, he pitched a no-hitter through7+1⁄3innings against the Houston Astros until giving up a home run toCarlos Corporán.Darvish struck out a career-high of 15 batters in that game and Texas won 2–1. By season's end, he compiled 277 strikeouts in just209+2⁄3innings. Additionally, was fourth in the American League with a 2.83 ERA, behindAníbal Sánchez,Hisashi Iwakuma,andBartolo Colón.Despite a pedestrian 13–9 won-lost record, Darvish placed second in the Cy Young voting to theDetroit Tigers'Max Scherzer.

2014 season

Darvish with the Rangers in 2014

In his first start of the2014 season,Darvish faced theTampa Bay Rayson April 6. He struck outDavid DeJesusandWil Myersto start the game, notching his 500th career strikeout. The two strikeouts gave Darvish401+2⁄3career IP in the Major Leagues, making him the fastest to reach 500 strikeouts in terms of innings pitched. It toppedKerry Wood's previous record by three innings. The Rangers won the game 3–0 as Darvish pitched seven shutout innings and struck out six overall.On May 9, Darvish took a no-hitter in the seventh inning against theBoston Red Soxbefore giving up a single toDavid Ortiz.The hit was initially ruled an error, thus allowing Darvish to take a no-hitter into the ninth before Ortiz recorded a single in that inning,however Major League Baseball subsequently overruled the scoring decision, ending the no-hitter in the seventh. On June 11, Darvish threw his first complete-game shutout against theMiami Marlins.Darvish allowed 6 hits, 3 walks, and struck out 10.

On July 6, Yu Darvish was elected to play the 2014MLB All-Star Game.Darvish entered the All-Star Game in the third inning to retire all three batters.

2015 season

During spring training, Darvish began to experience soreness in his right triceps. He underwent an MRI the following day, which eventually revealed that his right elbow had a torn UCL, preventing Darvish from participating for the entire 2015 baseball season.He underwentTommy John surgeryon March 17, 2015, performed byDr. James Andrews.

2016 season

Darvish getting ready to pitch in 2016

Darvish withJonathan Lucroyin 2016

Darvish began the 2016 season on the 15-day disabled list in an effort to continue recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2015.He returned on May 28 against thePittsburgh Pirates,pitching five innings with seven strikeouts and one run allowed on three hits as the Rangers went on to win 5–2. On June 13, 2016, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to neck and shoulder strains. On August 24, 2016, he hit his first career MLB home run in an away game against theCincinnati Reds,the first home run by a Rangers pitcher sinceBobby Wittin 1997.

2017 season

Throughout the entire 2017 season, Darvish was enshrouded in trade rumors as he only had one year left of team control and the Rangers fell further from playoff contention. On July 23, the Rangers stated that Darvish would not be available for trade.However, two days later, the Rangers said that the team would be open to trading Darvish for the "right deal".On July 26, Darvish pitched3+2⁄3innings, giving up a career-high ten earned runs, the most ever by a Japanese pitcher in MLB history.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2017)

On July 31, 2017, the Rangers traded Darvish to theLos Angeles Dodgersfor prospectsWillie Calhoun,A. J. Alexy,andBrendon Davis.He was 4–3 with a 3.44 ERA in nine starts for the Dodgers.Overall in 2017, combined with both teams, Darvish made 31 starts with a 10–12 record, 209 strikeouts, 12 wild pitches (7th in the major leagues), and a 3.86 ERA.

Darvish with the Dodgers during the 2017 season

In the postseason, he won his one start in the2017 NLDS,allowing one run in five innings against theArizona Diamondbackswhile striking out seven. He also pitched well in the2017 NLCSagainst theChicago Cubs,with one run in 61⁄3innings with also seven strikeouts.

2017 World Series

In the2017 World Serieshe failed to get out of the second inning in either of his two starts against theHouston Astros.He lost both games, including game seven, and allowed nine runs (eight earned) in 31⁄3innings while failing to strike out a single batter.They were the shortest two starts of his career, and Darvish became the first starting pitcher sinceArt Ditmarin1960to have two starts of less than two innings in the World Series.Shortly after the World Series, an unnamed Astros player suggested that Darvish had been tipping his pitches.Dodgers teammateChase Utleyhad evaluated Darvish's game three start and concluded that this was not the case, though Darvish changed his approach for game seven. More than a month later, aSports Illustratedarticle revealed that the Astros had figured out how Darvish was tipping his pitches: "Darvish holds the ball at his side when he gets the sign from the catcher. Whether he re-grips or not as he brings the ball into his glove was the tip-off whether he was going to throw a slider/cutter or a fastball." This unnamed Astros player said the Astros had known about this going into game 3 which they also won, but that they had an even better game plan for game 7.

After the season, Darvish became afree agentfor the first time in his career, and he chose not to re-sign with the Dodgers as there was much fan ire against him for his disappointing World Series outings that many felt had cost the Dodgers the title.

With the Astros being disciplined on January 13, 2020for using camerastosteal catcher-to-pitcher signalsduring the 2017 MLB postseason, Darvish refused to blame sign stealing for his poor starts and instead suggested that the 2017 Astros batters were talented, and he humorously posted on Twitter that he would wear a "Yu Garbage" jersey if the Dodgers held a championship parade.

Chicago Cubs (2018–2020)

2018 season

Darvish during Spring Training with the Cubs in 2018

On February 13, 2018, Darvish signed a six-year, $126 million contract with theChicago Cubs.He played his first game with the Cubs on March 31, 2018, against theMiami Marlins.He allowed 5 runs in4+1⁄3innings as the Cubs won 10–6 in 10 innings.On May 7, Darvish was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to the flu.On May 26, Darvish was again placed on the 10-day disabled list due to righttricepstendinitis.On August 19, 2018, Darvish began a rehab stint. While warming up before the second inning, Darvish summoned trainers and was removed from the game.AnMRIrevealed Darvish had a stress reaction on his right elbow as well as atricepsstrain, ending his 2018 season,after only 8 games and 40 innings pitched, in which he was 1–3 with a 4.95 ERA.

2019 season

Darvish in 2019 for the Cubs was 6–8 with a 3.98 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 31 starts.He gave up 33 home runs, the most in the National League, threw 11 wild pitches, the second-most in the NL, and hit 11 batsmen, third-most in the league.

2020 season

In thepandemic-shortened 2020 season,Darvish placed 2nd in the National League Cy Young vote after a season going 8–3 with a 2.01 ERA.He led the National League in wins, was second in ERA, walks per nine innings pitched (1.658), and home runs per nine innings pitched (0.592), fourth in WHIP (0.961), fifth in won-loss percentage (.727), seventh in hits per nine innings pitched (6.987), and eighth in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (11.013).

San Diego Padres (2021–present)

2021 season

Darvish with the Padres in 2021

On December 29, 2020, Darvish and personal catcherVíctor Caratiniwere traded to theSan Diego Padresin exchange for pitcherZach Daviesand prospectsOwen Caissie,Reginald Preciado,Yeison Santana, and Ismael Mena ahead of the2021 season.In his first year with the Padres, Darvish posted an 8–11 record with a 4.22 ERA and 199 strikeouts in166+1⁄3innings. He was also named to his fifthAll-Starteam.

2022 season

Thefollowing season,Darvish threw his 3,000th careerstrikeouton September 2, 2022, becoming only the second Japanese pitcher afterHideo Nomoto reach the milestone.In 30 starts for San Diego in 2022, Darvish recorded a 16–8 record and 3.10 ERA with 197 strikeouts in 194.2 innings pitched.

2023 season

On February 9, 2023, Darvish signed a six-year, $108 million contract extension with the Padres ahead of the2023 season.On August 14, 2023, Darvish struck out his 1,919th batter, passing Hideo Nomo to become MLB's Japanese-born leader in strikeouts.On August 31, Darvish was diagnosed with a bone spur in his right elbow, causing him to be shut down for the rest of the season.

2024 season

Darvish began the2024 seasonas the opening day starting pitcher for the Padres against theSan Francisco GiantsatPetco Park.On May 20, Darvish recorded his 200th combined career win in both MLB (107) and NPB (93) after the Padres' 9–1 victory over theAtlanta BravesatTruist Parkwith onlyHiroki Kuroda(203) andHideo Nomo(201) ahead of him.On September 16, Darvish extended his Major League Baseball record of consecutive games with multiple strikeouts to 280, making it the longest streak by any player at any point in their career since the modern era began in 1901.On September 22, Darvish became the first Japanese-born pitcher to reach 2,000 strikeouts in MLB.

International career

Darvish with theWBCJapan national teamatTokyo Domeon March 16, 2023

2008 Beijing Olympics

Named the ace of the Japanese national team bymanagerSenichi Hoshinoin the2008 Beijing Olympics,Darvish took the hill in Japan'sfirst gameof thepreliminaryround againstCubaon August 13, but was charged with the loss after giving up four runs in four innings.The subpar outing caused Hoshino to lose faith in him and scratch Darvish from thesemi-finalsthat he had penciled him in for, sending Darvish to the mound only in situations that would have no bearing on Japan's fate in the tournament. Darvish started thelast gameof the preliminary round against theUnited Stateson August 20 and was brought in to mop up after the U.S. had taken a decisive lead in thebronze medal match,finishing the tournament 0–1 with a 5.14 ERA (albeit with 10 strikeouts in seven innings pitched).

2009 World Baseball Classic

Darvish pitched in the2009 World Baseball Classicas thede factoace of the Japanese national team,starting theopening gameagainstChinaon March 5. He pitched four innings, allowing onewalkand no hits and striking out three as Japan beat China, 4–0. However, pitching in aMajor League stadiumfor the first time in his career, he struggled in hissecond outingof the tournament againstSouth Koreaon March 17, throwing five innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk and ultimately being charged with the loss.His first career save would follow six days later, when he pitched the final inning of thesemi-finalsagainst the United States, yielding no runs and a single and striking out two as Japan won 9–4.

Darvish came on in relief in the bottom of the ninth inning of thechampionship gameagainst South Korea with Japan leading 3–2. He struck out his first batter, walked the next two, struck out his next, and then gave up a tying two-out single before finishing the inning with another strikeout. However, Japan scored two runs in the top of the tenth inning to regain a 5–3 lead, and after giving up a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning, Darvish retired the next three batters (striking out two of them) to clinch Japan's second consecutivetournament title.In the WBC he finished at 2–1 with a 2.08 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 13 innings. He recorded a career-high 99 mph when he worked in relief at the WBC.

2023 World Baseball Classic

Darvish was named inJapan'sroster for the2023 World Baseball Classic.

Pitching style

Darvish mid-pitch with the Rangers in 2012

Darvish is a right-handed pitcher who throws from a three-quarterarm slotin a drop-and-drive motion.He has a large frame for a pitcher, listed at 6 ft 5 in and 220 lb. Darvish throws afour-seam fastballwhich averages 93–95 mph (tops out at 99 mph),as well as a hardslurve(slider) in the low 80s with a sharp break.He complements these two with a wide repertoire of secondary pitches, including atwo-seam fastball(also described as ashuuto),acutter,twocurveballs,asplitter,and an occasionalchangeup.Darvish has a "fast curve" and a "slow curve", the former averaging about 80 mph and the latter about 71. The slow curve is almost exclusively used in no-strike and 1-strike counts, while the fast curve is mostly used in 2-strike counts.Some professional scouts consider Darvish to have the best repertoire of quality pitches, including the best slider, in all ofMajor League Baseball.In August 2019, Darvish learned aknuckle curvefrom Cubs teammateCraig Kimbreland began using the pitch.

Advance scouting on Darvish is made difficult by his tendency to change his most frequent pitch sequences over time.

While Darvish uses both theset,or "stretch" position and thewindup,he has been noted for pitching exclusively from the stretch at times, even when there is no one on base.While pitching from the windup is generally thought to add velocity to pitches, the set position allows pitchers more control over baserunners.In Darvish's case the set position often is used as a way of keeping his delivery in sync and consistent.

Prior to the 2006 season, Darvish's "go-to" pitch was ascrewball,and he tends to rely more on his off-speed pitches than his fastball. After injuring his shoulder in anexhibition gamestart against the2006 World Baseball ClassicJapanese national team in February 2006, because of the strain the screwball had gradually been putting on his shoulder, he took the pitch out of his in-game repertoire and worked to develop his splitter until it became an equally effective pitch that would replace the screwball. He also has succeeded in increasing his fastball velocity from year to year.

In 2019 season alone, he used 10 different pitches: Cutter with two different movements, four seam and two seam fastballs, slider, splitter, normal and slow curveballs, knuckle curve, and a changeup. In 2020, he revealed on Twitter that he learned a 'supreme pitch', which is a hybrid between a splitter and a two-seam fastball. This pitch can reach 93 mph.In order to add new pitches to his arsenal, Darvish will often use a new pitch in game with little knowledge beforehand, forcing him to adapt to it quickly.

Personal life

Darvish and the Padres atMarine Corps Air Station Miramaron February 3, 2023.

In August 2007, Darvish acknowledged a relationship with Japanese model and actressSaeko.He announced later that Saeko was pregnant with their son. They married on November 11, 2007,and their son was born in March 2008. Their second child, a boy, was born in February 2010.The couple's divorce was finalized in January 2012, on the same day that Darvish officially signed with the Rangers.

Darvish made his firstdonationat the age of 10 when his father’s native Iran sufferedan earthquake,leading Yu Darvish to donate his allowance money to the cause.Darvish established a humanitarian fund dedicated to the construction, installation, and maintenance of wells, well pumps, and rainwater storage facilities in developing countries called the "Yu Darvish Water Fund" in February 2007. He announced plans to contribute to the fund by donating¥100,000 each time he notches a regular season win. The fund is managed by the Japan Water Forum.

A mural of Darvish andShohei OhtaniatEs Con Field Hokkaido.

An entertainment company,Avex Group Holdings Inc.manages Darvish's non-baseball rights worldwide and Darvish has appeared in ads for many companies, includingSeiko,Asahi Dry Black Beer,andPocari Sweat.Also, Darvish has appeared on the covers of Japanese men's fashion magazines, such asGQ,Men's Non-No,andGainer.Darvish was selected as the "GQ Man of the Year" in the February 2012 Japan issue.Darvish is sponsored by Japanese sportswear supplierAsics.

On July 30, 2015, Darvish announced that his girlfriend, former world-champion wrestlerSeiko Yamamoto,gave birth to their son on July 29.

In 2018, Darvish purchased a $4.55 million home inEvanston, Illinois.He requested permission to construct a six-foot high fence around the property and to acquire adjacent land owned by the city, which caused some controversy among his neighbors, as the fence would require a zoning variance and would obstruct neighborhood views ofLake Michigan.After the fence was constructed, Darvish's neighbors filed a lawsuit inCook County Circuit Courton March 29, 2019, asking a judge to rule that the Darvishes' fence obstructed their view of the lake, violating aneasementand a verbal agreement.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players from Japan
• List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
• List of World Series starting pitchers

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet
• Nippon Professional Baseball career statistics fromJapaneseBaseball
• Yu Darvish at JapaneseBallPlayers
• Official website(in Japanese)
• Yu Darvish's channelonYouTube(in Japanese)
• ダルビッシュ の ゲームちゃんねる(Darvish’s game)'s channelonYouTube(in Japanese)