Philadelphia, January 23, 2026
Pitching Payroll Headaches: Stars Sidelined, Futures Uncertain
Table of Contents
Several high-priced pitchers are facing uncertain futures due to injury or underperformance, creating roster dilemmas for their teams.
- Yu Darvish of the Padres is sidelined for the 2026 season following UCL brace surgery.
- Eduardo Rodriguez’s struggles with the Diamondbacks raise questions about his future with the team.
- Stephen Strasburg’s retained salary continues to impact the Nationals’ payroll despite his retirement.
- Taijuan Walker and José Berríos face uncertain roles within their respective rotations.
The San Diego Padres are without a key piece of their rotation as Yu Darvish will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing UCL brace surgery in October. While under contract through 2028, the 39-year-old’s return in 2027 remains uncertain. What impact will Darvish’s absence have on the Padres’ playoff aspirations? The Padres will need other pitchers to step up in his absence.
Injury Concerns and Contractual Obligations
Corbin Burnes is the only one of the 34 highest-salaried pitchers expected to miss at least half of next season, a statistic that subtly highlights the situation with the 35th-highest paid pitcher: Darvish.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are grappling with the underperformance of Eduardo Rodriguez, who earned $20 million. “E-Rod” struggled through most of 2024, posting an ERA above 5.00 in his 10 starts. While he showed some health in 2025, his effectiveness didn’t improve, finishing with a 5.02 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. Arizona appears to be holding onto a player whose peak performance is likely behind him, influenced by his strong 2023 season.
Rotation Battles and Uncertain Futures
Taijuan Walker, signed by the Philadelphia Phillies for $18 million, will likely begin the season in the starting rotation, but his position is tenuous. Once Zack Wheeler returns from injury and top prospect Andrew Painter establishes himself, Walker is projected to transition into a long-relief role by Memorial Day.
In Toronto, José Berríos ($18,714M) faces a battle for the fifth spot in the Blue Jays’ rotation. With Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage seemingly locked into the first four positions, Berríos will compete with Eric Lauer, Cody Ponce, and Bowden Francis for playing time.
The Weight of Past Investments
The Washington Nationals are still feeling the financial impact of Stephen Strasburg’s contract. Despite his retirement, Strasburg’s $35 million salary continues to count against the team’s luxury tax payroll. However, the Nationals are still projected to be more than $100 million below the competitive balance tax threshold.
