Joe Musgrove might be the most important player on the current Padres roster.
If the Musgrove of 2026 is anything like the Musgrove of 2021-24, the Padres again will have a front-loaded pitching rotation that keeps them competitive. But if his return from Tommy John surgery and a full-season absence goes awry, the Padres’ lack of starting pitching depth could be exposed.
The encouraging news for the Padres is that Musgrove long ago left the rehab mindset behind. He’s simply preparing for the coming season, no longer trying to get the elbow back to Major League functionality after his October 2024 surgery.
Padres pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, Ariz., in just over two weeks. Musgrove reported that he’s had a “normal offseason” and has the green light for Spring Training.
“I feel really good right now,” Musgrove said. “I feel like I’m in a good position physically, mentally for the season.”
Musgrove was on a ballfield on Sunday, but it had nothing to do with ramping up for Peoria. He and teammate Jackson Merrill headed north of San Diego to dedicate a restored and modernized Miracle League of San Diego field at the San Dieguito County Park in Solana Beach.
More than a photo op, the two Padres contributed financially to the cause of providing a safe, welcoming place to play for children and adults with special needs. Their common interest in the Miracle League is no surprise, given that they both breathe baseball.
Musgrove spent the 2025 season around his teammates, making nearly every road trip, rather than retreating to the training complex to rehab at a slower pace. Former manager Mike Shildt noted on more than one occasion that Musgrove was a leader, a positive factor in the clubhouse even without achieving his goal of returning to the field in ’25.
Merrill, for one, appreciated Musgrove’s presence. And he’s eager to see what 2026 might bring.
“It’s a different team with him playing out there, with him pitching,” Merrill said. “It’s fun to play behind him. I’m excited.”
The start of Spring Training on Feb. 11 is an important checkpoint. So is Opening Day on March 26. But Musgrove’s calendar is focused primarily on the postseason.
“I want to try to be as normal as possible,” Musgrove said, “keeping in the back of my mind that I need to be fresh and able to throw in October. So if that means skipping a start here or there or pushing me back a few days or a couple days’ extra rest, I’m already at peace with having to do that if that means I get to throw in October.”
That was Musgrove’s goal in 2025, too. During his rehab, he said he wanted to return to the mound before the year was out, ideally to contribute during the playoffs but also to give himself peace of mind, even if it was just one inning of competition.
Musgrove didn’t quite make it. He continued his rehab program with regular bullpen sessions through November. December brought a small break, about two weeks, Then, around Christmas, it was back to what he considers a normal routine. That means regular bullpen sessions well ahead of Spring Training.
“It was a relatively normal offseason for me, as far as when I would pick up a ball and start throwing and when I would get on the mound,” Musgrove said. “I had to battle the ups and downs of getting through the rehab. But over the last few weeks, I’ve really hit my stride. …
“Bullpen sessions, getting my pitch count up, throwing all my pitches. … I’m getting myself ready based on how I feel and what I know about myself.”