Joe Musgrove Returns to Padres Roster Ahead of Wild Card Series

Veteran right-hander Joe Musgrove has returned to the San Diego Padres roster just shy of two years after his last major league appearance. Manager Craig Stammen added him to the 26-man lineup Tuesday ahead of their NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Chicago Cubs. It is a significant comeback for the 34-year-old since he suffered a right elbow injury on Oct. 2, 2024, while securing victory over Atlanta in his hometown series. The injury forced him into Tommy John surgery and caused him to miss all of 2025. His recovery also slowed far more than doctors expected, leading him to sit out the entire 2026 regular season before finally making four rehab appearances this August. Musgrove admitted that getting better after games remained a struggle, yet instructional league work in October showed enough promise for San Diego to call up his name over other options like Randy Vasquez or Casey Mize.

Not everyone on this squad arrived with full health intact either. Outfielder Miguel Andújar was another surprise pick despite missing action since July 19 due to a broken wrist, though he did take swings at Petco Park on Monday. Meanwhile, the choice to include Ethan Salas feels almost inevitable given his age and recent form. The twenty-year-old catcher made the team as expected after being called up Sept. 1 to become the youngest player in MLB history to catch a game since Iván "Pudge" Rodríguez did it back in 1991. He struggled early on but found his rhythm down the stretch, finishing with ten hits in his final twenty-four at-bats of the regular season.

These moves highlight how closely watched teams are during these critical moments when injuries and timelines converge. Public knowledge about player status often comes too late once decisions have been made behind closed doors. When a star like Musgrove returns after such a long absence, it forces fans to wonder if their favorite team had the resources or foresight to keep him ready sooner. The risk is real for any community investing in athletes who face physical setbacks that linger far beyond initial estimates. We see the result of those internal struggles now as we watch these players step onto the field again.