Joe Musgrove is back on a Padres postseason roster. San Diego included the right-hander for its Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs, and he will be available out of the bullpen, according to Dennis Lin. His inclusion gives manager Craig Stammen another option in a series that could turn on a single inning.
Musgrove has not pitched in a major league game since Oct. 2, 2024, when he exited Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves with elbow tightness. He underwent Tommy John surgery later that month, missed the entire 2025 season, and encountered setbacks during his attempted return this year. The decision to carry him now is a remarkable turn so close to the two-year anniversary of his last appearance.
A relief role was the only option for this three-game series. Michael King starts Game 1, and San Diego has Robbie Ray, Nick Pivetta, and Walker Buehler available when the matchup extends beyond Tuesday. Musgrove does not need to provide five or six innings to help. If a starter runs into trouble or a game goes deep into extra innings, even a short, effective appearance could change the series.
Article Continues BelowThe Padres explored that possibility earlier in September, when Musgrove discussed shorter outings as a way to manage his recovery. His difficulty had been bouncing back between appearances. San Diego’s deep bullpen allows Stammen to choose a spot for him without asking him to carry the staff.
There is also the moment his return would create. Musgrove’s last big-league pitch came at Petco Park in a postseason game; his next could come in the same setting against the team that eliminated San Diego last year. Padres fans have waited nearly two years to see him take that mound again. The excitement would be through the roof.
For now, his role is an option rather than a guarantee. But in a short series, one clean inning can be decisive. If Stammen calls on Musgrove and he delivers, a surprising roster choice could become one of the Padres’ biggest moves against the Cubs.