Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove exited his start in the Wild Card series due to tightness in his pitching elbow. Manager Mike Shildt informed reporters today that Musgrove won’t be on the club’s NLDS roster and won’t pitch in the series, though the skipper stopped short of speculating about the righty’s availability after this series. AJ Cassavell of MLB.com was among those to relay the news on X.
It’s an unfortunate development for the Padres, as they are hoping to take down the Dodgers in the series that kicks off tomorrow. Musgrove has had his challenges this year but is one of the club’s best pitchers and was in a groove towards the end of the regular season.
The righty had a 5.66 earned run average through the end of May. He had already missed a few weeks earlier that month due to elbow inflammation and he was diagnosed with a bone spur in his elbow in early June. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list and wasn’t able to return until the middle of August.
He was able to finish the season on a strong note, making nine starts down the stretch with a 2.15 ERA, 29.1% strikeout rate and 4.1% walk rate. He took the ball in the second game of the Wild Card round against Atlanta and the results were good. He tossed 3 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and no walks, allowing one earned run. But his velocity was down and he was removed after just 44 pitches. The club later announced it as elbow tightness.
Given that Musgrove has been battling elbow issues all year, it’s fair to wonder if there’s a long-term issue that will need to be addressed. Shildt being tight-lipped about it for now, so the full ramifications may not be immediately known. If any kind of significant surgery is required, that could have a notable impact on the club into next year.
In the short term, the Padres will be trying to survive without Musgrove. Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish are scheduled to start the first two games of the series against the Dodgers. Michael King tossed the first game against Atlanta, striking out 12 over seven shutout innings, and will likely get the ball in the third contest on Tuesday. In the fourth game, they would likely be choosing between Cease starting on short rest versus using someone like Martín Pérez or Matt Waldron. Full roster announcements will be made Saturday morning.
Say it ain’t so, Joe!
TJS
San Diego’s Joe Musgrove won’t pitch in the playoffs, but the Met’s Kodai Senga will.
dang it
as a neutral observer i want both teams at full strength for the most competitive series possible. still expect it to be epic
That wasn’t going to happen for the Dodgers. They have more than a full 5 man rotation on the IL right now. Glasnow, Kershaw, Gonsolin, Stone and May. Even two of their best pitching prospects, in Kyle Hurt and River Ryan are hurt too.
Out of the playoff contenders who has the healthiest team, that is the closest to being a full complete squad like how the front office and fans envisioned it?? Off the top of my head I’m thinking Phillies and Royals? It’s too bad because I think the Diamondbacks just had everyone back before their elimination.
With Senga coming back, Mets are pretty healthy. Aside from McNeil, who was platooning with Igelsias anyway (also replaced by Acuña), all of their starters are healthy. The rotation is healthy as well. Some injured middle relief (Raley, Drew Smith, Sean Reid-Foley, Dedniel Nunez), though.
Bummer. Get the spurs shaved and we’ll see you in ’25! One series at a time, but I just don’t see a return in the Postseason.
Don’t be so down. The Pads are one team I’d hate to see in the post season. Even with Musgrove on the shelf.
I like the Padres chances but I didn’t like the way they scored early and then were shut down 2 straight games against ATL. They need to be more steady with the attack. That’s not gonna work the whole way. Credit ATLs pen I guess but a lot of times when you get off to that early lead you get a little too cozy and a bit less intense. It’s only 2 games obviously tho
Great call Gwynning! Reminds me of losing Clevinger and Lamet in 2020. Team learned and has depth. Love the Perez pick up. Also Vasquez or Waldron in an emergency. This time around there are options.
Disappointing, but not surprising. Hoping Cease/Darvish/King/Perez will be enough moving forward. Just want Joe to be healthy and at his best, even if that means 2025.
I believe in YU
If he’s not playing, I’m not watching.
This is unfortunate. If King deals like he did Tuesday, it will compensate
Not a big threat
It’s actually best for the Padres. Dodgers hit him good this season….
You forgot Ohtani
Dodgers in 3!
I agree…Dodgers OUT in 3 !
Dodgers will have their hands full
Dodgers will be chanting “Cancun on 3”
With Musgrove just heading into his early 30s when he signed his 5 year, $100 million extension, it is hard to fault the deal, particularly with the expensive contracts elite pitchers are getting nowadays.
But, Musgrove pitched 97.1 innings in 2023 and 99.2 innings in 2024. If he needs to have surgery that will sideline him in 2025, we are starting to look at how to salvage the contract. That would be three essentially lost years out of the five.
Darvish has had his own health issues and is almost a decade older. King and Cease are only under team control through the end of 2025.
It is good Waldron, Vasquez and Brito are around for organizational depth. However much money ownership has to spend, they are going to have some work to do to piece together the starting rotation.
Next man up. I’d rather have Randy Vasquez than Matt Waldron
Tommy John. Preller just announced it.
See you in 26, Joe.
Rather have Vasquez than Waldron