Yu Darvish Doesn't Know If He'll Pitch in Padres Opening Series Against Dodgers
The San Diego Padres will be opening their 2024 season in Seoul, South Korea against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Padres will be looking to shake off all the problems that they dealt with last season and will get a nice test against the loaded Dodgers to start.
San Diego has a different look this season but still boasts a team full of star power. The biggest difference for the team is within their starting rotation, where the only two for-sure pieces the Padres have are both coming off season-ending injuries.
Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove are both expected to be fully healthy when the year kicks off, but they are coming off injury-riddled season. Darvish is likely slated to be the starter to open the season against Los Angeles, but he hasn't received any confirmation from new manager Mike Shildt.
Asked if he would pitch in the opening series, Darvish said, "I don't know that at all (at this point). That's a decision the manager will make."
Darvish will likely pitch in one of the two games to open the season, barring any setbacks.
In 24 games last season, Darvish had a bit of a down year. He posted an ERA of 4.56 over 136.1 innings of work, but is determined to lead the way this year.
He wants to get back to being the ace of this team, and against a Dodgers team that he has been outspoken against all offseason, there isn't a better time to make a statement. We should learn who will start for the Padres soon, with Darvish being one of the frontrunners.
