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Padres Add Joe Musgrove to Wild Card Roster Despite Two-Year Absence
Confirmed
In Short: The San Diego Padres have added veteran right-hander Joe Musgrove to their 26-man roster for the National League Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs, despite Musgrove not pitching in an MLB game since the 2024 postseason due to an elbow injury.
Musgrove, 33, was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his throwing elbow after pitching in Game 2 of the 2024 NL Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves. He underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2024 and has been out of action ever since.
Despite setbacks during his recovery, Musgrove has shown progress recently, making four minor-league rehab starts earlier this season and averaging 94.4 mph with his fastball in his last three August rehab starts at Triple-A.
The Padres' decision to include Musgrove on the roster is a surprise move, as he has not pitched in the majors since October 2, 2024. His return could provide a significant boost to the team's pitching depth.
It remains unclear what role Musgrove will play for the Padres in the Wild Card Series. Given his recent rehab and the team's need for bullpen support, a role in the bullpen seems the most likely.
The Padres enter the Wild Card Series as one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won 17 of their last 20 games. They finished the regular season with a 91-71 record, securing the first Wild Card spot in the National League.
The team will have home-field advantage for the best-of-three series against the Cubs, who won the season series 5-1 but have not faced the Padres since the All-Star break.
Musgrove expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, 'I do feel the most optimistic I've felt at any time in the last two years.' His inclusion on the roster highlights the Padres' confidence in his readiness to contribute.
The Padres' roster for the Wild Card Series includes several notable omissions, such as reliever Wandy Peralta, starter/reliever Randy Vasquez, starter/reliever Griffin Canning, and utilityman Sung-Mun Song.
First pitch for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series at Petco Park is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, with the Padres looking to avenge their elimination by the Cubs in the same round last year.
What this adds
The Padres' decision to include Musgrove on the roster is a significant gamble, as his last appearance in the majors was nearly two years ago.
The team's confidence in Musgrove's readiness is based on his recent progress in instructional league appearances and live batting practice.
What's confirmed
- Musgrove, 33, was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his throwing elbow after pitching in Game 2 of the 2024 NL Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves. He underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2024 and has been out of action ever since.
- Despite setbacks during his recovery, Musgrove has shown progress recently, making four minor-league rehab starts earlier this season and averaging 94.4 mph with his fastball in his last three August rehab starts at Triple-A.
- The Padres' decision to include Musgrove on the roster is a surprise move, as he has not pitched in the majors since October 2, 2024. His return could provide a significant boost to the team's pitching depth.
- It remains unclear what role Musgrove will play for the Padres in the Wild Card Series. Given his recent rehab and the team's need for bullpen support, a role in the bullpen seems the most likely.
- The Padres enter the Wild Card Series as one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won 17 of their last 20 games. They finished the regular season with a 91-71 record, securing the first Wild Card spot in the National League.
- The team will have home-field advantage for the best-of-three series against the Cubs, who won the season series 5-1 but have not faced the Padres since the All-Star break.
- Musgrove expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, 'I do feel the most optimistic I've felt at any time in the last two years.' His inclusion on the roster highlights the Padres' confidence in his readiness to contribute.
- The Padres' roster for the Wild Card Series includes several notable omissions, such as reliever Wandy Peralta, starter/reliever Randy Vasquez, starter/reliever Griffin Canning, and utilityman Sung-Mun Song.
- First pitch for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series at Petco Park is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, with the Padres looking to avenge their elimination by the Cubs in the same round last year.
What's still developing
- Musgrove was nearly through the fourth inning when he suffered a right elbow injury and was lifted from the game.
- It was later determined that Musgrove’s injured elbow would require Tommy John surgery, and the subsequent rehabilitation has kept the El Cajon native out of MLB game action for nearly two years.
- Musgrove's recovery from the procedure was halting and marked by setbacks.
- As the San Diego Union-Tribune recently reported, Musgrove has shown good stuff in recent instructional league appearances and in live batting practice.
- "I don't know if it's the shorter outings or if we've finally reached a point where my arm is just feeling healthy. … I do feel the most optimistic I've felt at any time in the last two years," Musgrove said on Sunday.
- In four seasons with the Padres, Musgrove boasts an ERA+ of 123 with an FIP of 3.68 and a 4.18 K/BB ratio across 97 starts and one relief appearance.
- Among their 26 roster selections for the opening-round series was veteran right-hander Joe Musgrove.
- Now, though, he's poised to play a pivotal role for San Diego in one of the most compelling first-round series of this year's playoffs.