Yu Darvish’s long-awaited season debut is happening. Darvish will start Monday in the Padres’ series opener against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park after a careful comeback from an elbow issue that sidelined him in mid-March.

SAN DIEGO — Fresh off taking two of three games from the Rangers, the San Diego Padres will activate right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish from the injured list to make his season debut Monday night at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Japanese star has been sidelined since spring training by right elbow inflammation.

The Padres’ rotation is getting the boost it has long been waiting for. Yu Darvish will return to the mound on Monday night when San Diego opens a four-game series against the division-rival Diamondbacks at Petco Park,