Padres pitcher Musgrove nearing MLB return following Tommy John surgery

San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove is preparing to rejoin the major league rotation following recovery from Tommy John surgery, with the team indicating he could make his return before the end of August. Musgrove has completed three minor league rehab starts in August, demonstrating a significant increase in fastball velocity to the 93-97 mph range, a marked improvement from his pre-surgery average of 90-93 mph.

The right-hander last pitched for the Padres on 2 October 2024 in a playoff game against the Atlanta Braves, after which he underwent UCL repair surgery. Having spent the 2025 season rehabilitating, Musgrove began spring training in February 2026 with hopes of a mid-season return. After an initial start in spring training revealed he required additional time, the team shut him down, allowing him to make meaningful progress starting in July.

His most recent rehab outing occurred on 11 August with Triple-A El Paso, where he pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five. Although the results were not the primary focus, the performance highlighted his physical readiness, with Musgrove throwing 70 pitches and hitting 97 mph in the first inning. This velocity marks the first time he has reached that speed in a major league game since 2017.

To support the rotation while Musgrove recovered, general manager A.J. Preller acquired right-hander Casey Mize and left-hander Robby Ray at the trade deadline. The Padres’ rotation had struggled to field more than two regular starters for a month prior to the deadline, prompting the acquisition of these reliable arms.

Musgrove will join Michael King and Walker Buehler, providing the team with four starters capable of completing five to six innings regularly. This depth is expected to protect the bullpen and stabilize the rotation as the team moves toward the end of the season, though the exact date of Musgrove’s major league debut remains unconfirmed.