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Joe Musgrove is officially back in the postseason picture, although the San Diego Padres are not yet sure exactly how much the veteran right-hander can contribute. In a stunning decision, the Padres added Musgrove to their roster for the National League wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs.
The best-of-three series begins Tuesday night, with San Diego carrying 11 pitchers. Musgrove is expected to work primarily out of the bullpen, though manager Craig Stammen left open the possibility that he could be used in several different situations, including a potential decisive Game 3.
Joe Musgrove Makes a Surprise Playoff Return
The move is remarkable because Musgrove has not appeared in a major league game in nearly two years. His last outing came on October 2, 2024, before he underwent surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament.
The 34-year-old spent the following season rehabilitating and originally hoped to return at the beginning of 2026. However, repeated setbacks made that goal increasingly difficult. After another disappointing stretch in his recovery, Musgrove acknowledged that he was “running out of answers.”
Rather than shut down completely, the local ace continued throwing and searching for a way to prepare his arm for competitive work. The Padres now believe those efforts have created a narrow but potentially valuable opportunity during the playoffs.
A Flexible Role for San Diego
Stammen said the team has seen encouraging signs from Musgrove over the past week and a half. The manager noted that Musgrove was able to face hitters and recover well enough to continue playing catch the following day.
“The biggest thing we were just waiting on was his ability to recover after pitching to hitters, and he’s able to do that,” Stammen said, according to ESPN. “No better time to put him on the roster than now.”
The manager added that Musgrove could pitch “in a myriad of roles.” That could mean a short appearance in the middle innings, a matchup-based assignment, or a longer stint if the Padres need emergency coverage. His workload will likely depend on how his arm responds from one day to the next.
- Musgrove has not pitched in the majors since October 2, 2024.
- He underwent Tommy John surgery after that final appearance.
- His most recent minor league rehab outing came on August 27.
- He threw five innings and allowed one run in that appearance.
- The Padres may use him as a bullpen option during the wild-card series.
Why the Padres Believe the Gamble Can Work
Musgrove made four minor league rehab appearances last month, with his final outing coming for Triple-A on August 27. Although his recovery between appearances remained a concern, his recent shorter throwing sessions produced more encouraging results.
He faced five batters in an instructional league game before participating in live batting-practice sessions against major league hitters. The reports from those workouts were positive, particularly regarding his velocity, pitch shapes and overall stuff.
Padres general manager A.J. Preller said the club’s medical and baseball operations staff had spent the past several weeks testing different approaches to help Musgrove pitch and recover more effectively.
“Velocity was good, stuff was good, shapes were good,” Preller said. “Ruben and the group signed off on it, and he’s going to be able to help us in any role.”
That confidence does not eliminate the risk. Musgrove has not faced the intensity of a major league game in two years, and the postseason offers little margin for error. Still, San Diego appears willing to bet on his experience, competitiveness and familiarity with high-pressure baseball.
Padres Add Another Intriguing Roster Story
Musgrove is not the only notable name on San Diego’s wild-card roster. Young prospect Ethan Salas also made the team as one of three catchers and could start behind the plate for Nick Pivetta in Game 2.
If Salas catches that game, he would be 20 years and 121 days old, making him the youngest catcher to appear in a postseason game. The current record belongs to Bob Didier, who was 20 years and 230 days old during the 1969 National League Championship Series.
For the Padres, the addition of Musgrove represents both a bold tactical decision and an emotional moment. He is a well-known figure in San Diego and has long been viewed as one of the organization’s most important pitchers. Even a limited contribution could provide a lift to a team trying to advance past Chicago.
The Cubs also built flexibility into their roster, carrying five starting pitchers. That makes it possible for Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Shota Imanaga or David Peterson to work from the bullpen during the series. Matthew Boyd is scheduled to start Game 1 for Chicago against San Diego’s Michael King.
What Comes Next for Joe Musgrove?
The Padres will closely monitor Musgrove’s workload, recovery and command. His inclusion does not guarantee that he will pitch, but it gives San Diego an additional option if the series becomes especially demanding.
For now, Joe Musgrove has earned an unexpected chance to help the Padres in October. After two years away, the veteran pitcher is once again part of San Diego’s postseason plan—and his next appearance could become one of the most closely watched moments of the wild-card round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Joe Musgrove added to the Padres’ playoff roster?
The Padres believe Musgrove has recovered well enough from recent throwing sessions and could provide pitching depth in the wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs.
When did Joe Musgrove last pitch in a major league game?
His last major league appearance came on October 2, 2024. He later underwent surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament.
Will Joe Musgrove start a game for the Padres?
He is expected to work primarily out of the bullpen, although the Padres could use him in multiple roles depending on the series situation.
How long was Musgrove’s most recent rehab outing?
Musgrove pitched five innings and allowed one run in his final minor league rehab appearance on August 27.
Who are the Padres playing in the wild-card series?
San Diego is facing the Chicago Cubs in a best-of-three National League wild-card series.
