Manny Machado and the Padres’ Hopes for a Resurgent Joe Musgrove
PEORIA, Ariz. – As the San Diego Padres prepare for the 2026 season, much of the focus is on the potential return of pitcher Joe Musgrove, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Manager Craig Stammen recently expressed confidence in Musgrove’s ability to become one of the National League’s elite pitchers, stating, “Joe’s capable of being the best pitcher in the National League.” However, he tempered expectations, acknowledging that a full recovery takes time and isn’t guaranteed.
Musgrove recently pitched in a televised exhibition game for the first time since October 2, 2024, a significant step in his rehabilitation. While acknowledging the challenges of returning from Tommy John surgery – many pitchers don’t feel fully themselves for up to two years – Musgrove is taking a pragmatic approach. “I’m kind of just taking the ball every fifth day and see how I recover and adjust as we go,” he said. He aims to consistently contribute throughout the year, even if he doesn’t reach his previous inning totals.
Tommy John Surgery: A Prolonged, But Not Guaranteed, Career Extender
Tommy John surgery has become increasingly common in baseball, extending the careers of countless pitchers. However, it’s not a foolproof solution. Recent examples demonstrate a mixed bag of results. While some, like Jacob deGrom and Matthew Boyd, have returned to All-Star form, others, such as Sandy Alcantara and Antonio Senzatela, have struggled. The Padres are banking on Musgrove falling into the former category.
The Padres’ ambitions are heavily tied to Musgrove’s recovery and performance. From 2021 to 2023, he was a top performer in the National League, boasting a 3.05 ERA and delivering memorable postseason starts. With an uncertain rotation, including pitchers with their own injury histories like Michael King and Walker Buehler, Musgrove’s stability is crucial.
Musgrove’s Return and Initial Performance
Musgrove is focused on competing and regaining his form. In his recent exhibition start against Great Britain, he threw 60 pitches, reaching 94 mph with his fastball – a slight increase from his 2024 velocity. While he experienced some fatigue towards the end of his outing, he views it as a natural part of building up his pitch count. He struck out New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. with a 95.2 mph fastball.
His next start is expected to be in a Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels, followed by two more starts before his anticipated return in late March. The Padres’ season opener against the Detroit Tigers is just around the corner, and Musgrove is steadily progressing towards his goal. He sees each outing as another step in his journey back to peak performance.
As the Padres look to contend, the success of key players like Manny Machado and the resurgence of Joe Musgrove will be pivotal. The team’s hopes rest on Musgrove’s work ethic and the successful repair of his arm. The road to recovery is long, but Musgrove is determined to return to form and contribute to the Padres’ success.
Source: The Athletic
