Joe Musgrove’s Return: Padres Ace Shows Promise in Spring Debut
PEORIA, Ariz. – , Joe Musgrove took another step forward in his return from Tommy John surgery, pitching two-plus innings in a Padres exhibition game against Team Great Britain at the Peoria Sports Complex. Although acknowledging it wasn’t the ultimate measure of progress, Musgrove expressed satisfaction with the outing, viewing it as a crucial building block in his comeback.
“To me, this is another step,” Musgrove said. “I think getting in a big league game, facing big league hitters in the big stadium, night game, things like that will be another adjustment. For me, this was just: I’m still checking boxes and building up.”
The Padres, entering the season, are keenly aware of Musgrove’s importance, not just as a starting pitcher but as a team leader. His presence on the mound, even in spring training, represents a significant boost as the team navigates questions surrounding the depth of their starting rotation.
Musgrove allowed one run on five singles during his appearance, striking out three batters – Jazz Chisholm Jr., Will Cresswell, and Matt Koperniak. His pitch count was carefully monitored, and he didn’t complete the first inning, a situation he attributed to defensive positioning rather than any physical limitations. “There weren’t any errors, but with Xander Bogaerts at short and Fernando Tatis Jr. In right field, Musgrove probably escapes that same inning unscathed,” the report noted.
More importantly, Musgrove reported feeling healthy and displayed glimpses of the form that established him as one of the National League’s premier pitchers during his first four seasons with the Padres. His fastball reached 95 mph, and his cutter and curveball generated swings and misses. Though, he also acknowledged the need for refinement.
“I liked the shapes of my stuff,” Musgrove said. “Just command-wise, a little bit off from where I need to be.”
The outing came after Musgrove tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves. A degree of rustiness was therefore expected. The focus remains on a gradual build-up, prioritizing health and effectiveness over immediate dominance.
“I’ve been working at a very casual pace for the last couple months,” Musgrove said. “I felt pretty good though. My stuff felt good.”
The Padres’ need for a fully recovered Musgrove is amplified by existing uncertainties within the starting rotation. Randy Vásquez has shown promise, building on a strong finish to the season, and is reportedly sitting in the 95-97 mph range with his fastball. However, Triston McKenzie has struggled with command in his early spring appearances. Musgrove’s return provides a crucial anchor for the rotation, alongside Nick Pivetta and Michael King.
But Musgrove’s value extends beyond statistics and win-loss records. Manager Craig Stammen emphasized his intangible contributions to the team’s culture and identity.
“It’s more what he means to the entire team, just who he is as a person, how he represents the city of San Diego, how he represents the Padres,” Stammen said. “He is who we want to be like, who we want to be about.”
While a return to his All-Star form – a 3.20 ERA in 98 appearances over his previous four seasons – isn’t expected overnight, the Padres are prepared to manage Musgrove’s workload carefully. They may opt for occasional skipped starts or a six-man rotation to ensure he remains healthy and productive throughout the season.
Musgrove himself has tempered expectations regarding his innings total. “I don’t expect to make 180-200 innings,” he said. “But I expect to be able to capture the ball throughout the year and be productive.”
Wednesday’s outing, wasn’t about immediate results. It was a positive indication that Musgrove is on track to fulfill that expectation, and a significant step toward re-establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Padres’ pitching staff as the season approaches.