After swinging a pair of trades to bolster their rotation at the Trade Deadline, the Padres have yet another reinforcement nearing a return to their new-look pitching staff.
Veteran right-hander Joe Musgrove stretched out to 70 pitches across 4 2/3 innings in his third rehab start on Friday night for Triple-A El Paso.
As far as results go, it wasn’t the smoothest start. Musgrove allowed five runs on nine hits, including a home run, against Triple-A Salt Lake. He issued one walk and struck out five.
But the metrics seem encouraging. For one, Musgrove’s four-seam fastball averaged 95.2 mph according to Statcast, and topped out at 97.1 mph. He also mixed in seven different pitches, headlined by his cutter.
It’s been a long road to this point for Musgrove, who last pitched in the Majors on Oct. 2, 2024 in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Braves. He underwent Tommy John surgery a week later and proceeded to miss the entire 2025 season.
A healthy Musgrove is certainly a capable frontline starting pitcher, and someone who could make a difference in October. He’s posted a 3.20 ERA in 98 games (97 starts) through four seasons with the Padres, even earning an All-Star nod in 2022.
As it awaits Musgrove’s eventual return, San Diego (66-57) continues to play its best baseball of the season. The Padres sit in sole possession of the second National League Wild Card spot.