They pointed to what he did at the end of last season after missing more than three months with an elbow ailment and then a personal matter. Darvish posted a 2.78 ERA over his final four regular season starts and then allowed the Dodgers three runs in 13⅔ innings in his two starts in the National League Division Series.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish made his season debut on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks ( GameTracker ). Darvish, 38, had been sidelined by right elbow inflammation.

The Padres missed Yu. They’ve mostly persevered this season, as their rotation has been hit hard by injuries. But were they ever thrilled to welcome Yu Darvish back into the fold Monday night, after he missed the first three-plus months of the season with right elbow inflammation.