Full Breakdown
Joe Musgrove Expected to Begin 2026 Season on Injured List
3/18/2026, 7:26:49 AM
Overview of Musgrove's Injury Status
San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove is anticipated to start the 2026 Major League Baseball season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Musgrove, who has not pitched since October 2, 2024, when he exited Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves due to elbow stiffness, missed the entire 2025 season due to this surgery.
Managerial Insights on Recovery
First-year manager Craig Stammen confirmed Musgrove's status during a press conference at the team's spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona. Stammen stated, "He's most likely going to start on the IL this year," emphasizing that the decision aligns with a long-term recovery plan for the pitcher. He noted that Musgrove's recent performance in a spring training exhibition against Great Britain's World Baseball Classic team, where he allowed five hits and one run over 60 pitches, indicated that ramping him up to be a viable starter for the season opener would be challenging.
Implications for the Padres' Rotation
With Musgrove sidelined, the Padres are evaluating their rotation options ahead of their season opener against the Detroit Tigers on March 26. Current starters include Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Randy Vásquez, with potential contributions from Germán Márquez and Walker Buehler, who is on a minor league contract. Stammen expressed confidence in the depth of the pitching staff, stating, "We've got a lot of depth; we've got a lot of competition here in spring training."
Strategic Planning for Musgrove's Return
The Padres' coaching staff is taking a cautious approach to Musgrove's recovery, prioritizing his long-term health over immediate availability. Stammen reiterated, "This was part of the plan, and we knew he was going to have to take some time off... We knew we were going to have to get him ready for the entire season, and not just Opening Day." The team aims to ensure that Musgrove is prepared to contribute meaningfully later in the season, particularly in September and October.
Criticism & Opposition
While the Padres' management remains optimistic about Musgrove's eventual return, some fans and analysts have expressed concern over the prolonged absence of one of the team's key pitchers. The uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline has raised questions about the team's ability to compete effectively in the early part of the season.
What's Next for the Padres
The final decision regarding the Opening Day starter and the full rotation order is expected to be made shortly before the season begins. Stammen indicated that the team would wait until the last possible moment to finalize these decisions, allowing for any last-minute developments in player readiness.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He’s most likely going to start on the IL this year…this was part of the plan, we knew he was going to have to take some time off…we knew we were going to have to get him ready for the entire season, and not just Opening Day.” — Craig Stammen, Padres Manager
- “We'll miss Joe at the beginning, but we're going to have Joe at some point during the season.” — Craig Stammen, Padres Manager
