Musgrove's Elbow Fatigue Raises Doubts About Padres Return
Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove is experiencing elbow fatigue after his latest minor league rehab start, casting doubt on his return this season. Manager Craig Stammen said the team is reassessing his recovery daily, with less than a month left in the regular season. Musgrove's next start will not be for San Diego as he continues to work back from injury.
Musgrove's rehab assignment began August 4 and has now spanned four starts, with his most recent outing showing solid results on the surface—60 pitches, one earned run, and work into the sixth inning. However, the lingering elbow fatigue following that appearance has prevented him from clearing the final hurdle of proving he can sustain a starter's workload. The Padres have just 22 games remaining, and any roster addition requires a corresponding removal, complicating the decision.
The 33-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2024, and his recovery has clearly not followed a smooth trajectory. Manager Craig Stammen indicated the team is evaluating Musgrove's recovery timeline on a daily basis, with no firm commitment to when or how he might be deployed. His next start will occur in the minors, not for San Diego, as the club weighs whether he can contribute meaningfully down the stretch.
This situation could affect the Padres' postseason chances directly, as they sit tied with Arizona in a tight wild-card race with less than a month remaining. Fans and the organization may face difficult roster decisions if Musgrove cannot return, potentially reshaping the bullpen or rotation at a critical moment. Beyond San Diego, it highlights the broader uncertainty pitchers face returning from Tommy John surgery, which may inform how teams and players approach recovery timelines and expectations league-wide.