Joe Musgrove Makes Return To Padres For Wild Card Series

[Steve Drumwright]

 

 

The San Diego Padres are getting two key reinforcements for the postseason.

Right-hander Joe Musgrove and designated hitter Miguel Andujar were activated from the injured list Tuesday and included on the Padres' roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs. To make room on the 40-man roster for Musgrove, who was on the 60-day IL, Triple-A catcher Rodolfo Duran was placed on the 60-day IL. The minor-league season is over. Game 1 of the series is Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Ethan Salas, the Padres' top prospect, is among the three catchers on the roster and will become the youngest catcher in a postseason game in MLB history. He is 20 years, 93 days old today.

For the 33-year-old Musgrove, it marks the end of a long recovery period. It was nearly two years ago to the day that Musgrove pitched in his last MLB game. That was Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series vs. Atlanta on Oct. 2. He would have Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2025 season.

Musgrove was on track to return early this season, but following an exhibition game against Great Britain, his first game appearance of spring training, his arm did not bounce back as expected. That led him to starting the season on the IL. It wasn't until August that Musgrove began a rehab assignment, alongside fellow right-handed starter Nick Pivetta. While Musgrove's initial outings went well and appeared set to rejoin the Padres' rotation, Pivetta's did not. But Musgrove again experienced a bounce-back issue with his right arm that paused his comeback, while Pivetta recovered from a brief scare and is now expected to start Game 2 of the Wild Card Series.

 

 

 

 

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Musgrove has been working out in Arizona and conditioning himself for a relief role. His arm has apparently been bouncing back well from the shorter outings.

For Andujar, he was on the 15-day IL following a fractured right wrist that happened on a swing. He went on a two-week rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso to conclude the minor-league season and then went to Arizona to get more swings. He did not participate in an MLB game since the injury. He is the second key bat to return to the Padres in the last week. First baseman Gavin Sheets came off the IL for the final regular-season series. Another late-season addition was right-handed reliever Jason Adam, who had been on the IL with a strained right shoulder.

The fallout from those two is that right-hander Randy Vasquez and infielder Sung-Mun Song were not included on the postseason roster. Vasquez pitched six innings Sunday to save the bullpen, a plan that was likely contingent on knowing Musgrove would be ready for the postseason.

Rosters can be adjusted between series. Injury replacements can also be made during a series, but with the injured player having to miss the next season.

 

 

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