Padres add Joe Musgrove to Wild Card roster after nearly two years away from majors

The San Diego Padres added right-hander Joe Musgrove to their Wild Card Series roster against the Cubs on September 29, marking his return to MLB competition for the first time since October 2, 2024. Musgrove last pitched in a major-league game in Game 2 of the 2024 Wild Card Series against the Braves, per CBS Sports, before a torn UCL in his throwing elbow prompted Tommy John surgery in October 2024.

Musgrove's road back has been halting. Earlier this season, he made four minor-league rehab starts but saw his return pushed back because of a back issue, according to MLB.com. During those Minor League outings, his stuff showed quality but his elbow required several days of recovery after each appearance, and he struggled to bounce back after pitching games at the Arizona Complex League. The Padres ultimately pivoted to using him in a bullpen role rather than in a rotation.

Despite the extended layoff and recovery timeline, Musgrove has shown arm strength in recent weeks. Across his three August rehab starts at Triple-A, he averaged 94.4 mph with his fastball, per CBS Sports, a gain from his 2024 regular-season average of 92.9 mph. In recent instructional league appearances and live batting practice, per CBS Sports, Musgrove has shown good stuff. Musgrove told reporters on Sunday: "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. I do feel the most optimistic I've felt at any time in the last two years."

Musgrove is expected to pitch in a limited relief role for the Wild Card Series, according to MLB.com. He makes the roster over Randy Vásquez and Wandy Peralta. Musgrove joins 10 other pitchers on San Diego's postseason roster for a team that, per CBS Sports, won 17 of its last 20 games entering the playoffs.

Musgrove has been a cornerstone of the Padres' rotation since joining the team. In four seasons with San Diego, per CBS Sports, he has posted an ERA+ of 123 with a 3.68 FIP across 97 starts and one relief appearance. He threw the first no-hitter in Padres history in 2021. Over his MLB career, he has made 26 relief appearances and four additional relief appearances in the postseason.

The gamble carries risk. Musgrove has never formally rehabbed as a reliever, and the extended absence from major-league competition creates uncertainty about his ability to perform in that role under postseason conditions.