The San Diego Padres rotation could see the return of Joe Musgrove in Miami this weekend, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. There is a “high probability” that the right-hander will return from the 60-day injured list, manager Mike Shildt said but did not specify which day Musgrove would pitch. Musgrove went 3 1/3 innings and threw 43 pitches in his first rehab start with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Sunday. He will likely be limited to four to five innings against the Marlins in what will be his first start since late May. Musgrove has been sidelined with a bone spur and bruise in his right elbow.
Joe Musgrove Set to Return This Weekend
The return of Musgrove comes at a good time for the Padres, who began the first of 27 games in 28 games on Tuesday. They improved just past midnight to a season-best ten games over .500. They moved into the National League’s first Wild Card spot and are 62-52, including going 12-3 since the All-Star break. This all happened even when the Padres were missing Musgrove, Yu Darvish, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. for parts of the season.
A Possible Six-Man Rotation
Shildt could go for a six-man rotation. However, he indicated it’s likelier the Padres stay at five. Randy Vásquez could be pushed out of the rotation though a decision doesn’t need to be made right away. The options for starting pitching will give more depth, considering the Padres went most of July with a four-man rotation. There is still no timetable for Darvish, who remains on the restricted list due to a personal family matter. Martín Pérez arrived at the trade deadline and Musgrove should join him in the rotation soon. If the Padres use a six-man rotation, it gives the option to give their starters an extra day of rest.
If there is a vulnerable area, it is the rotation. It will be interesting to see how the Padres get through this gruelling schedule. Michael King has been their most valuable starter, he will start Wednesday after skipping a start with a bruised calf muscle.
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