Padres likely to get Joe Musgrove boost later this season

Aug 11, 2026 - 16:45

The San Diego Padres are making a push for the playoffs and could be getting reinforcements. Joe Musgrove, who has not pitched in the majors since 2024, recently made a step toward a return. Musgrove pitched in his first rehab start, pitching for the Lake Elsinore Storm.

Now, another update has been made about the future of Musgrove, per MLB.com.

“Underwent surgery in October 2024. Reported feeling great after second rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Aug. 9. Expects to make one or two more rehab starts before returning,” the update read, while also saying the expectation is for him to return in late August or September.

Musgrove was excited by his first start since 2024, according to Bernie Wilson of MLB.com.

“The emotion part has kind of passed for me. So obviously I’m very excited to get back,” Musgrove said after he threw 53 pitches. “I’ve wanted to pitch in games for a long time now. Multiple times I felt like I’ve been really close and just haven’t gotten there. So this is the best I’ve felt in the last two years.”

Musgrove has not pitched since facing the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card round in 2024. In that outing, he pitched 3.2 innings, giving up one run as the Padres defeated the Braves.

“Nothing’s really set in stone, but I don’t think he’s looking for another three- to four-inning starter,” Musgrove said. “I think he wants a starter that can pitch a postseason game or somebody that can give us some length down the last month or so of the season. That’s ultimately what I want. I want to get back in games. So if it was getting back sooner in three innings, I would take that, but I think having the assistance of Robbie [Ray] and Casey [Mize], showing up at the Deadline, gives us a little bit more leeway to stretch those guys out a little bit more and give myself and Nick [Pivetta] the time we need to get built up to a normal starting depth. I’m hoping one more start, maybe back here at 75, 80 pitches. It’s easy to make a 10- to 15-pitch jump every outing. So doing the math, it sounds like two more, but maybe one more if I’m super sharp.”

The Padres are 63-57 on the year, which places them in third place in the NL West. They are just a game behind both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves for a wild card spot in the National League. The Padres return to the diamond on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

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