Joe Musgrove was placed on the 15-day disabled list over the weekend, his second stay of the 2024 season. The Padres initially dubbed the problem elbow inflammation. They clarified this evening, stating that an MRI found a bone spur (source: AJ Cassavell of MLB.com).
While Musgrove is relieved that he has avoided ligament damage, the bone spur will keep him out for far longer than the minimum two weeks. Cassavell reports that the former All-Star will be completely shut down for two weeks. He could start practicing catch at that point, but it will likely take several weeks before he is ready for a minor league rehab assignment.
Musgrove admitted that if the issue does not heal with rest, he may need arthroscopic surgery, although this is not currently being considered. He recently had a platelet-rich plasma injection.
With less than five weeks until the All-Star break, it appears Musgrove will miss the second half of the season. His rehabilitation process will determine whether he returns to Petco Park before the trade deadline. The Padres are expected to search for starting pitching regardless, since they have previously been linked to White Sox breakout lefty Garrett Crochet, but Musgrove’s injury adds to the uncertainty.
Dylan Cease, Michael King, and Matt Waldron are the clear top three in the rotation right now. Yu Darvish was placed on the 15-day IL with Musgrove, but it doesn’t appear that he will miss much time mending a groin strain. San Diego recalled righty Randy Vásquez and elevated youngster Adam Mazur to the starting lineup. Vásquez had a 5.74 ERA entering tonight’s game against the Diamondbacks. Mazur made his MLB debut on Tuesday. Jackson Wolf, with a 5.83 ERA in 11 Triple-A appearances, is the only other starter on the 40-man roster.
Throughout the first two months of the season, San Diego’s rotation has produced average performance. They are 14th in the MLB with an even 4.00 earned run average, but ranking seventh with a 24% strikeout percentage. Darvish, Cease, Waldron, and King have each allowed three to four earned runs per nine, with strong swing-and-miss statistics. Musgrove had a poor season as he dealt with elbow pain. He has thrown fewer than five innings per start with a 5.66 ERA and a 20.6 percent strikeout rate, certainly the worst of his Padres career.
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