Padres Shock MLB with Blockbuster Trade—Inside San Diego’s Bold Move and What’s Next

Petco Park will feel a lot more like October this week as the San Diego Padres welcome ace Yu Darvish back to the mound, celebrate three newly minted All-Stars and try to ride a Fourth-of-July walk-off into a critical NL West showdown with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yu Darvish set for long-awaited 2025 debut Manager Mike Shildt confirmed the 38-year-old right-hander will start Monday’s series opener after missing the season’s first three months with right-elbow inflammation. Darvish is expected to be limited to roughly 75 pitches, but even four to five innings from the five-time All-Star should stabilize a rotation that has relied on Dylan Cease, Nick Pivetta and rookie Randy Vásquez to survive a brutal early schedule. With Michael King still rehabbing a shoulder issue, Darvish’s return arrives just in time for a seven-game homestand that could vault San Diego above .500 before the All-Star break. Machado, Tatis Jr. and Adam punch tickets to Atlanta On Sunday the league announced that Manny Machado (fan vote), Fernando Tatis Jr. and reliever Jason Adam will represent the Padres at the July 15 Midsummer Classic in Atlanta. Machado is hitting .292 with 14 homers and 52 RBI, Tatis owns 15 long balls and 18 steals, and Adam’s 1.65 ERA since arriving from Tampa Bay has solidified the back end of San Diego’s bullpen. The trio’s selections mark the first time since 2022 that the Padres will send at least three players to the All-Star Game, a boost for a club fighting to stay in the NL Wild Card race. Momentum building after dramatic walk-off vs. Rangers Jake Cronenworth’s extra-inning single on July 4 capped a comeback 6-5 win over Texas and ignited a packed holiday crowd that chanted “Beat LA” as fireworks filled the San Diego sky. The victory, coupled with Saturday’s 7-4 triumph, gave the Padres their first back-to-back wins since mid-June and showcased a deep lineup beginning to click. Key storylines to watch this week • Darvish vs. Arizona: The Diamondbacks trail the Padres by half a game; a strong debut could swing the division standings. • Xander Bogaerts update: The shortstop exited Friday with hamstring tightness; his MRI on Monday will determine if a stint on the injured list is needed. • Trade-deadline chatter: With the bullpen short on left-handed options, GM A.J. Preller is rumored to be scouting relievers from the White Sox and Royals. Why it matters Between Darvish’s return, multiple All-Star nods and a favorable schedule, the Padres have a prime chance to flip the narrative of an injury-marred first half. If they can emerge from the homestand with a winning record, San Diego will enter the break as a legitimate second-half threat—something fans haven’t felt since the 2022 NLCS run.