Trending Now - Musgrove's Injury Could Impact Padres' Starting Rotation
WHO:
Craig Stammen, first-year manager of the San Diego Padres
Joe Musgrove, San Diego Padres starter
Craig Stammen, first-year manager of the San Diego Padres
WHAT:
Stammen stated, "It’s getting to the point where he’s taking enough time off that it would be hard to ramp him up to get him to be a viable starter that can throw five innings and 90 pitches."
Musgrove has not thrown in more than a week as of March 13th, 2026.
Musgrove's last appearance was against Great Britain’s World Baseball Classic club on March 4th, 2026.
Joe Musgrove is expected to open the 2026 season on the injured list (IL).
Musgrove underwent Tommy John surgery, which kept him from pitching in 2025.
Musgrove last pitched in a big league game on October 2nd, 2024.
In his only spring appearance on March 4th, 2026, Musgrove faced 12 batters, threw 36 of 60 pitches for strikes, allowed five hits, one run, struck out three, and walked one.
The Padres' rotation includes Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Randy Vásquez, with options like Germán Márquez and Walker Buehler.
Craig Stammen stated, "We’ll miss Joe at the beginning, but we’re going to have Joe at some point during the season."
WHERE:
Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, Arizona
WHEN:
The Padres' regular season opener is scheduled for March 26th, 2026.
The regular season opener is scheduled for March 26th, 2026.
Musgrove's last game was on October 2nd, 2024.
Musgrove's spring training appearance was on March 4th, 2026.
WHY:
Stammen emphasized the need to get Musgrove ready for the entire season, stating, "This was part of the plan. We knew he was going to have to take some time off."
The decision to place Musgrove on the IL is part of a planned approach to ensure he is healthy enough to contribute throughout the 2026 season.
HOW:
The Padres may consider opening the season with a four-man rotation due to two scheduled off-days in the first eight days of the season.
Musgrove is being "slow-played" in spring training as he nears his return from surgery.
The Padres may consider a four-man rotation early in the season due to two scheduled off-days in the first eight days.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 05:26 UTC)
In a recent statement, San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen expressed concerns about pitcher Joe Musgrove's readiness for the upcoming season opener on March 26, noting that Musgrove hasn't thrown in over a week since his last appearance on March 4 against Great Britain's World Baseball Classic team. Stammen highlighted the challenge of ramping Musgrove back up to a viable starter capable of throwing five innings and 90 pitches, emphasizing that this situation was anticipated as part of their overall plan. To accommodate Musgrove's recovery, the Padres are considering starting the season with a four-man rotation, taking advantage of two scheduled off-days in the first eight days of the season.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 23:15 UTC)
Joe Musgrove, the San Diego Padres starter, is expected to begin the 2026 season on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery, which kept him off the mound in 2025. In his only spring training appearance on March 4, Musgrove faced 12 batters, striking out three, but the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure he is healthy enough to contribute later in the season. Manager Craig Stammen acknowledged the loss of Musgrove at the start, but expressed optimism about his return, while the Padres are considering a four-man rotation early in the season due to scheduled off-days.