The Padres are charging into their weekend series at Petco Park against the Colorado Rockies with impressive momentum. San Diego has posted a 9-2 record since the All-Star break, facing mostly top-ranked teams. Their performance has peaked at a crucial time in the season. The current area of concern for the team is their starting pitching rotation.
Despite general manager A.J. Preller’s successful overhaul of the bullpen, making it one of the league’s best with key trades, the only addition to the starting rotation has been Martin Perez, who is set to make his debut for San Diego on Saturday night against the Rockies.
There’s optimism surrounding Joe Musgrove, who is expected to return soon from a bone spur injury in his elbow. Musgrove’s recovery is progressing well, and he is no longer experiencing significant hesitation in his pitching delivery. However, he remains cautious, aware that the injury could resurface at any time.
Musgrove is scheduled for a minor league rehab start on Sunday, where he plans to throw 45-50 pitches. Depending on how that outing goes, he may make one more minor league start or rejoin the major league team for the final stretch of the season.
“It’s frustrating sitting on the sidelines while the team performs well,” Musgrove said. “You want to contribute when the team is at its best, so I’m doing everything I can to return.”
Musgrove aims to pitch at least five innings per game upon his return. He acknowledges that with the strengthened bullpen, there is less pressure to go deep into games right away, which is crucial for the team’s playoff push.
Starter Michael King might also need extra time to recover. After taking a line drive to his calf during his last start in Baltimore, he managed to complete six innings, but has since felt tightness and pain in the affected area.
King’s next start, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, might be in jeopardy. If he does miss it, the Padres could view it as an opportunity to give him additional rest, considering he has already exceeded his career-high in innings pitched this season. King, however, is eager to return and is frustrated by the potential delay.
Manager Mike Shildt has not yet disclosed the contingency plan if King cannot start on Sunday, but a bullpen day is a possible option.