The last time San Diego Padres fans saw starting pitcher Joe Musgrove on the mound was in Game 2 of the 2024 Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves.
The right-hander looked strong, pitching 3.2 innings of one-run ball before making a sudden exit after feeling something wrong with his elbow. A week later, it was revealed Musgrove needed Tommy John surgery, and he has been out ever since.
But nearly two years later, Musgrove is finally close to making his return. The former All-Star has made two rehab appearances over the past couple of weeks and is now set to make his third, and possibly final, start.
On Thursday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune revealed that Musgrove will make his third rehab start Friday for Triple-A El Paso after completing a successful bullpen session earlier in the day.
In his latest rehab appearance on Sunday, Musgrove pitched 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and one run with no walks and two strikeouts. He threw 53 pitches, while his velocity reportedly looked good, sitting around 94 mph for much of the outing.
With Musgrove scheduled to start Friday, the Padres will likely want to increase his pitch count to around 70-75. From there, they can decide whether he's ready to rejoin the team.
When he does return, it's unclear exactly what Musgrove's role will be. However, the right-hander gave a major hint himself in Bernie Wilson's article for MLB.com.
“Nothing's really set in stone, but I don't think he's (A.J. Preller) 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."
Musgrove's comments certainly indicate that he expects to return to his previous role as a full-time starter. More importantly, he wants to be someone San Diego can trust to start a postseason game.
The Padres are also eagerly awaiting the return of starter Nick Pivetta, who's been out since April with a flexor strain in his right elbow.
Pivetta followed Musgrove in his first rehab outing on Aug. 4, but exited after just two batters due to elbow tightness. He later threw 20-30 pitches in a bullpen session without any issues, easing concerns about another potential injury.
After adding Robbie Ray and Casey Mize at the trade deadline, San Diego suddenly has a much better outlook on its rotation. Getting Musgrove and Pivetta back would only make the group that much deeper.
Following their fourth straight win Wednesday night over the Milwaukee Brewers, the Padres have put themselves right in the thick of the playoff race. San Diego enters play Thursday tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies for the second wild-card spot.
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