San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove returns to the postseason roster for the Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs, marking his first major-league game action in nearly two years following Tommy John surgery and multiple physical setbacks.
The last time Joe Musgrove stood on a major-league mound, he was pitching the San Diego Padres into the National League Division Series. On October 2, 2024, during the opening frame of Wild Card Game 2 against Atlanta, Musgrove suffered a torn right elbow UCL that necessitated Tommy John surgery, an injury that sidelined him for close to two years. Now, his return might come on the very same stage — on the very same Petco Park mound. That was when a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow forced him out of a start against Atlanta and sent him straight to surgery. Nearly two full years later, the San Diego native is back in uniform for the postseason.
In a surprising development Tuesday morning, the Padres included Musgrove on their Wild Card Series squad just hours ahead of their Tuesday night Game 1 matchup with the Cubs. He is expected to pitch a limited role in relief. Ahead of their best-of-three playoff matchup against the Chicago Cubs, he secured a spot on the Padres’ postseason roster. He will operate out of the bullpen rather than returning as a starter, a pivot forced by the grueling realities of his recovery.
Overcoming Setbacks and Shifting to the Bullpen
Padres add Joe Musgrove to postseason roster
Musgrove’s road back to the active roster was far from smooth. Musgrove was originally hopeful to return to the rotation in the early part of the season. But he endured multiple setbacks this year. After the latest of those setbacks, the Padres pivoted to using Musgrove in a bullpen role. Musgrove never formally rehabbed as a reliever, instead pitching games at the Arizona Complex League. As a starter, his stuff mostly looked quality during his Minor League outings. But Musgrove struggled to bounce back after those outings. His elbow took several days to recover from the workload — hence the move to the bullpen. Musgrove’s recovery from the procedure was halting and marked by setbacks. Having previously experienced a back issue that delayed his comeback, Musgrove logged four minor-league rehab appearances earlier this campaign. Musgrove dealt with an elbow injury after that outing that ultimately led to Tommy John surgery. After missing all of the 2025 season, Musgrove has had multiple setbacks in his recovery this year. Doubts about whether he could make it back at all this season persisted well into September due to lingering arm fatigue. Musgrove’s last rehab appearance came on August 27. Pitching for Triple-A El Paso, he managed five innings of one-run baseball, though his body did not bounce back well afterward. Musgrove operated as a starter in each of his four rehab appearances. He’ll likely shift to a bullpen role.
Having touched 97 mph with his radar readings while displaying sharp breaking stuff and facing live hitters twice across the past five days, Musgrove is set to provide an impactful arm for the Padres relief corps. The Padres grew reasonably hopeful about a comeback after he appeared in an instructional league contest last Tuesday followed by a batting practice session three days later. Musgrove has been throwing in instructional league games this month, and the Padres apparently liked what they saw.
I don't know if it's the shorter outings or if we've finally reached a point where my arm is just feeling healthy.
Roster Adjustments and Bullpen Depth Against the Cubs
Catcher Rodolfo Duran shifted to the 60-day IL
Catcher Rodolfo Duran was shifted to the 60-day IL, per his MLB.com transactions tracker. That clears a 40-man spot for Musgrove. Duran went on the minor league IL in mid-September. His injury has yet to be reported. Per an official club statement, right-hander Joe Musgrove has earned a spot on the Padres’ Wild Card round postseason roster. His return requires activation from the 60-day injured list, necessitating a corresponding 40-man roster move. San Diego has not revealed the official move yet. He takes the roster spot of Randy Vásquez, who logged six innings and 68 pitches during Sunday’s regular-season finale. Wandy Peralta and Griffin Canning were also left off the postseason roster. From a pool of several alternatives—including dependable righty Randy Vásquez, relief specialist Wandy Peralta, mid-season acquisition Casey Mize, and Griffin Canning—San Diego selected Musgrove for their 11-man postseason pitching corps. Outfielder Miguel Andújar also was a surprising inclusion on the Padres’ roster. Sidelined since July 19 by a fractured wrist, he nevertheless took live swings at Petco Park on Monday.
Randy Vásquez replaced on San Diego’s pitching staff
The catch with utilizing Musgrove is that he will likely be unavailable to pitch on consecutive days.
Joe Musgrove returns for Wild Card Series against Cubs
The 33-year-old local product, famous for throwing the only no-hitter in Padres franchise history, had maintained strong aspirations of pitching again this year. If nothing else, Musgrove’s inclusion is surely a major emotional boost for the Padres. He is one of the most beloved players in the clubhouse and by the fanbase.
Worth a look
