Joe Musgrove Injury Update: Padres Star’s MRI Results and Return Timeline Revealed

San Diego—San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove’s bid to return from 2024 Tommy John surgery has hit another snag, leaving his availability for the final week of the 2026 regular season and a potential playoff run in serious doubt. Musgrove has not faced live hitters since an encouraging five-inning rehab start for Triple-A El Paso on August 27, when his arm required multiple days of recovery—longer than the club considers workable for an activation. Manager Craig Stammen acknowledged over the weekend that the 33-year-old remains limited to catch sessions and “is experimenting with how much he can throw and still bounce back the next day,” underscoring the uncertainty surrounding any late-season role. If Musgrove does make it back, the Padres now envision him as a high-leverage reliever rather than a starter, a plan contingent on his ability to throw on consecutive days—something he has yet to prove post-surgery. Rotowire similarly notes that the club “paused Musgrove’s rehab assignment because he’s having issues recovering between starts,” further dimming hopes for a 2026 mound appearance. The setback arrives at a pivotal time for San Diego, which entered Wednesday holding the second NL Wild Card slot by one game. Musgrove owns a 3.20 ERA in 98 games since joining the Padres in 2021 and was an All-Star in 2022; his postseason experience—four playoff starts with a 2.70 ERA—would be invaluable to a bullpen that ranks 10th in the league in ERA yet lacks October-tested arms. Financially, the righty is under contract through 2027 at $20 million annually, putting additional pressure on both player and club to prioritize long-term health over a rushed cameo. History shows that most Tommy John recipients return within 14–18 months, but full velocity and command can lag well beyond the initial comeback window, especially for pitchers entering their mid-30s. For now, San Diego’s pitching plan revolves around Yu Darvish, Michael King, and fireballing rookie Jairo Ibarra, with the front office monitoring the waiver wire for veteran relief depth. Internally, former closer Robert Suárez has begun throwing live BP and could slot into late-inning duty if Musgrove can’t answer the bell. Padres officials say a final decision on Musgrove’s status will arrive “no later than the eve of the Wild Card Series.” Should he remain sidelined, attention will immediately shift to ensuring a normal off-season and a full, unrestricted 2027 spring training. Until then, Musgrove continues to push toward what would be one of the season’s feel-good comeback stories—if his elbow lets him.