Musgrove fans 3 in 5 IP in what could be his final rehab start
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Making what could be his final rehab start before returning to the Padres' rotation, Joe Musgrove couldn't have been much better.
Musgrove, on his way back from October 2024 Tommy John surgery, threw 60 pitches, 42 for strikes (70%) on Thursday night for Triple-A El Paso. In five innings, he allowed a run on five hits with three strikeouts before being lifted.
As for his next steps, the Padres will have plenty to consider. Musgrove last pitched in the Majors on Oct. 2, 2024, in Game 2 of that year's Wild Card Series against the Braves. Given that, the club has been clear about its intentions to slow-play the 33-year-old.
The right-hander tweaked his back in his last rehab appearance on Aug. 14, leading to a 13-day layoff. Musgrove was stretched out to 70 pitches in that Aug. 14 outing; the precautionary step back to 60 on Thursday would likely give him 75-80 in his next appearance.