Career Timeline of Yu Darvish: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Yu Darvish built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Yu Darvish is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the San Diego Padres in MLB. Before joining the Padres, he played for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs in MLB, as well as the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball. Darvish has represented Japan in international competitions, including the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic (WBC), including 2009 and 2023.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1961: Fighters' First Championship Since 1961

In 2006, Yu Darvish contributed to the Fighters' first championship since 1961 in the Japan Series.

1981: Fighters' First Pacific League Title Since 1981

In 2006, Yu Darvish played a leading role in the Fighters' first Pacific League title since 1981.

1987: Youngest Pitcher to Start a Japan Series Game Since 1987

In 2006, at 20 years old, Yu Darvish became the first pitcher to start a Japan Series game since 1987 while under the age of 21.

2002: Comparison to Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling

In 2013, on May 27, Yu Darvish became the first player since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2002 to reach 100 strikeouts by Memorial Day, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2003: National High School Baseball Championship Finals

In the summer of 2003, Yu Darvish led his team to the finals of the 85th National High School Baseball Championship but lost to Joso Gakuin High School.

March 26, 2004: Pitched No-Hitter in High School Tournament

On March 26, 2004, Yu Darvish pitched a no-hitter against Kumamoto Technical High School in the first round of the 76th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.

2004: NPB Amateur Draft

In 2004, Yu Darvish was considered one of the best high school pitchers in the NPB amateur draft and was eventually selected by the Fighters with their first-round pick in the November 17 draft.

February 2006: Shoulder Injury and Pitch Change

In February 2006, Yu Darvish injured his shoulder in an exhibition game against the World Baseball Classic Japanese national team due to the strain from his screwball. Consequently, he removed the screwball from his repertoire and developed his splitter.

2006: Breakout Year and Championship

In 2006, Yu Darvish had a breakout year with a 12–5 record and a 2.89 ERA, contributing to the Fighters' Pacific League title and Japan Series championship. He also won the Asia Series Most Valuable Player award.

2006: Re-Signed with Nippon-Ham Fighters

On December 22, Yu Darvish re-signed with the Nippon-Ham Fighters for ¥200,000,000 plus payment at piece rates, up ¥128,000,000 from 2006.

February 2007: Established Yu Darvish Water Fund

In February 2007, Yu Darvish established the "Yu Darvish Water Fund," dedicated to constructing and maintaining water facilities in developing countries. He also announced plans to donate ¥100,000 for each regular-season win.

December 3, 2007: National Team Debut

On December 3, 2007, Yu Darvish made his national team debut in the Asian Baseball Championship against Chinese Taipei.

2007: Named Fighters' Season Opener Starter

In 2007, Yu Darvish was named the Fighters' starter for their season opener. He struck out 14 in his second start against the Lions on March 30 and 14 again in his next start against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on April 7, becoming the second pitcher in Japanese professional baseball history to strike out 14 or more batters in two consecutive starts.

2007: Re-Signed with Nippon Ham Fighters

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

2008: Chosen to Retain Japanese Citizenship for Olympics

In 2007, to play for the national team in the 2008 Olympics, Yu Darvish chose to retain his Japanese citizenship.

2008: Played in the 2008 Olympics

In 2008, Yu Darvish pitched for Japan in the Olympics.

2008: Second Consecutive Season Opener Start

In 2008, Yu Darvish was named the Fighters' starter in the season opener for the second consecutive year, pitching a complete game shutout in that game. On April 10, he had a pitchers' duel with Hisashi Iwakuma, throwing a complete-game shutout on three hits and just 95 pitches.

2009: 2009 World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Darvish pitched in the World Baseball Classic as the de facto ace, starting against China on March 5, pitching four innings with no hits and one walk, striking out three in a 4-0 win. In his second outing against South Korea on March 17, he struggled, giving up three runs in five innings and taking the loss. On March 23, 2009, he earned his first career save pitching the final inning of the semifinals against the United States, securing a 9-4 win for Japan.

2009: Japan Won WBC title

In 2009, Japan won its first WBC title. In 2023, Darvish re-joined Japan's roster for the WBC.

2009: Played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Yu Darvish pitched for Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

2009: Pitched in the 2009 Japan Series

In 2009, Yu Darvish pitched game 2 of the Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants, earning the win. After the Japan Series, It was revealed that Yu had a stress fracture of the right-hand forefinger.

2009: Third Straight Season Opener Start

In 2009, Yu Darvish started the Fighters' season opener for the third straight year, pitching against Hisashi Iwakuma. On April 24, he struck out 11 en route to a complete-game shutout.

2009: Re-signed with the Nippon-Ham Fighters

On December 9, Yu 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 the Pacific League presently.

2009: Exposure to International Play

Yu Darvish's exposure to international play during the 2009 World Baseball Classic led him to consider leaving Japan in 2010.

October 18, 2010: Announced Return to Fighters for 2011 Season

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

2010: Struggles with Fighters despite strong individual performance

In 2010, Yu Darvish had a strong individual performance, but struggled to win as many games due to the Fighters' troubles. He began the 2010 season losing to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on March 20.

2010: Speculation About Move to Major League Baseball

In 2010, speculation increased about Yu Darvish's potential move to Major League Baseball. He announced his plans to review his options at the end of the season.

January 6, 2011: Agreed to Contract Making Him Highest-Paid Player in Japan

On January 6, 2011, Yu Darvish agreed to a contract for the 2011 season that would make him the highest-paid player in Japan, with a salary of ¥500,000,000.

April 12, 2011: Season Opener Against Saitama Seibu Lions

On April 12, 2011, Yu Darvish started the season against the Saitama Seibu Lions, struggling and allowing seven runs in seven innings, resulting in a loss.

December 14, 2011: MLB Posting Bid Deadline

December 14, 2011, marked the deadline for Major League Baseball teams to submit blind posting bids for Yu Darvish.

December 19, 2011: Texas Rangers Win Posting Bid

On December 19, 2011, the Nippon-Ham Fighters accepted the Texas Rangers' posting bid of a reported $51.7 million for Yu Darvish.

December 20, 2011: Nippon-Ham Fighters' Decision Deadline

December 20, 2011, was the deadline for the Nippon-Ham Fighters to decide whether to accept or reject the highest posting bid for Yu Darvish.

2011: Response to Tohoku Earthquake and Baseball Season Delay

In 2011, the Nippon Professional Baseball season was delayed due to the Tohoku earthquake, leading to controversy over resuming play. Yu Darvish, among other players, felt it was inappropriate to rush back to baseball, prioritizing humanitarian concerns. Darvish contributed to relief efforts, donating ¥50,000,000 (approximately US$620,000) to the Japanese Red Cross.

January 2012: Divorce Finalized and Signed with Rangers

In January 2012, Yu Darvish's divorce from Saeko was finalized, and on the same day, he officially signed with the Rangers.

January 18, 2012: Signing with Texas Rangers

On January 18, 2012, Yu Darvish signed a six-year, $60 million contract with the Texas Rangers, just 15 minutes before the deadline. Nolan Ryan noted Darvish's control at his age.

2012: MLB Debut and Rookie of the Year Nomination

In 2012, Yu Darvish debuted in MLB and finished third in the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year balloting.

2012: Increased Fastball Velocity

In 2012, Yu Darvish increased his fastball velocity, which averaged 92.7 miles per hour.

2012: Selection for MLB All-Star Game

In 2012, Yu Darvish was selected as one of the final two players for the MLB All-Star Game, representing the American League. At the time of the announcement, he had a record of 10 wins and 5 losses with a 3.59 ERA. However, he did not pitch in the game itself.

April 2, 2013: Near Perfect Game vs. Houston Astros

On April 2, 2013, Yu Darvish pitched a near-perfect game against the Houston Astros, maintaining it through 8+2⁄3 innings before giving up a single to Marwin González. He threw 111 pitches, striking out 14 and walking none.

2014: Selection to All-Star Game

In 2014, Yu Darvish was selected to play in the All-Star Game on July 6. He entered the game in the third inning, retiring all three batters he faced and earning a hold.

2014: Achievements and Near No-Hitter

Throughout 2014, Yu Darvish achieved his 500th career strikeout, becoming the fastest MLB player to reach this milestone in terms of innings pitched. He also had a near no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox on May 9, which was initially ruled an error but later changed.

2016: Return from Surgery and First MLB Home Run

In 2016, Yu Darvish returned from Tommy John surgery on May 28, pitching five innings and allowing one run. Later, on August 24, he hit his first career MLB home run in a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

2016: ALDS Game 2 Start

In 2016, Yu Darvish started Game 2 of the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed five hits and five earned runs across five innings, contributing to the Rangers' 5-3 loss and eventual sweep.

July 31, 2017: Trade to Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 31, 2017, the Texas Rangers traded Yu Darvish to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects Willie Calhoun, A.J. Alexy, and Brendon Davis.

2017: Pitched in the 2017 World Series for the Dodgers

In 2017, Yu Darvish pitched in the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers. His performance was underwhelming, later attributed to the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.

2017: Trade Rumors and Career-High Earned Runs

Throughout 2017, Yu Darvish was subject to trade rumors. On July 26, he pitched 3+2⁄3 innings, giving up a career-high 10 earned runs, the most ever by a Japanese pitcher in MLB history.

February 13, 2018: Signing with Chicago Cubs

On February 13, 2018, Yu Darvish signed a six-year, $126 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

2018: Signed with the Chicago Cubs

Before the 2018 season, Yu Darvish signed a six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

August 2019: Learned knuckle curve

In August 2019, Yu Darvish learned a knuckle curve from Cubs teammate Craig Kimbrel and began using the pitch.

2019: Used 10 different pitches

In 2019, Yu Darvish used 10 different pitches: a cutter with two different movements, both four seam and two seam fastballs, a slider, a splitter, normal and slow curveballs, a knuckle curve, and a changeup.

December 29, 2020: Trade to San Diego Padres

On December 29, 2020, Yu Darvish, along with Víctor Caratini, was traded to the San Diego Padres for Zach Davies and prospects Owen Caissie, Reginald Preciado, Yeison Santana, and Ismael Mena.

2020: Increased Fastball Velocity

In 2020, Yu Darvish increased his fastball velocity, which averaged 95.9 miles per hour.

2020: Learned "supreme pitch"

In 2020, Yu Darvish revealed on Twitter that he learned a "supreme pitch," which is a hybrid between a splitter and a two-seam fastball that can reach 93 mph.

2020: NL Wild Card Series Game 2 Start

In 2020, Yu Darvish started Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Miami Marlins, pitching 6+2⁄3 innings and giving up the only two runs of the game in a 2-0 loss, resulting in the Cubs being swept.

2020: Second Place in Cy Young Voting

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Yu Darvish finished second in the National League Cy Young voting after a season where he went 8–3 with a 2.01 ERA, leading the league in wins and excelling in several other statistical categories.

2021: Traded to the San Diego Padres and Named an All-Star

Before the 2021 season, Yu Darvish was traded to the San Diego Padres and was named an All-Star in 2021.

2021: First Season with Padres

In 2021, Yu Darvish's first year with the San Diego Padres, he posted an 8–11 record with a 4.22 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 166+1⁄3 innings.

2022: NLCS Starts against the Philadelphia Phillies

During the 2022 season, Yu Darvish made two starts in the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite a strong performance in Game 1, the Padres lost 2-0. He also started Game 5, where he pitched six innings, taking a no-decision as the Padres lost 4-3, losing the series 4-1.

2022: Postseason Starts and Wins

In 2022, Yu Darvish made four starts during the postseason. He earned a win in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the New York Mets and in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2022: 3,000th Career Strikeout and Season Performance

In 2022, Yu Darvish threw his 3,000th career strikeout on September 2, becoming the second Japanese pitcher to reach this milestone. He finished the season with a 16–8 record, a 3.10 ERA, and 197 strikeouts in 194+2⁄3 innings.