Padres right-hander Yu Darvish will make his season debut when San Diego hosts the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
The five-time All-Star has been sidelined all season due to elbow inflammation. He was cleared after throwing a side session on Saturday and is expected to be limited to 75 pitches.
“We’re excited to have that happen,” Shildt said of Darvish’s return. “It really did get back to him checking all the boxes — simulated games, recovering, bullpens … being able to hold velocity.”
Darvish, 38, is in his fifth season with the Padres. He is 39-32 with a 3.79 ERA in 100 starts for San Diego.
Overall, Darvish is 110-88 with a 3.58 ERA in 282 starts with the Texas Rangers (2012-17), Los Angeles Dodgers (2017), Chicago Cubs (2018-20) and Padres. Darvish missed the 2015 season with Texas after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Padres certainly could use Darvish, as co-ace right-hander Michael King (shoulder nerve issue) has missed the past six-plus weeks. Up-and-down Dylan Cease is the team’s No. 1 starter at the moment.
On May 14, Darvish made a four-inning rehab appearance for Triple-A El Paso but more elbow issues occurred after the start, further pushing back his expected return.
Darvish didn’t make a rehab start this time around.
Right-hander Zac Gallen (6-9, 5.45) will start for Arizona in the opener of a four-game series.