San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove faced a setback in his career when he suffered an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament during a recent game. This injury will require Tommy John surgery, which means he will be out for the rest of the season and likely a significant portion of the 2025 season as well.
The injury occurred during the fourth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves, forcing Musgrove to leave the game. Despite initial tests not showing significant damage to his UCL, further evaluation revealed that surgery was necessary.
Musgrove expressed his disappointment about not being able to continue playing this season and acknowledged the challenges ahead in terms of recovery and rehabilitation. He emphasized the importance of coming to terms with the situation and focusing on the road to recovery.
With Musgrove out of the picture for the playoffs, the Padres will have to make adjustments to their pitching rotation. Martin Perez is expected to step in and fill the void left by Musgrove. The team will rely on Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, and Michael King in the upcoming games.
General manager A.J. Preller praised Musgrove’s contributions to the team and acknowledged that his absence would be felt. He highlighted the need for other players to step up and fill the gap left by Musgrove’s injury.
Musgrove had dealt with injury issues earlier in the season, including bone spurs that required him to spend time on the injured list. Despite these challenges, he had an impressive performance in the latter part of the season, showcasing his resilience and determination.
The pitcher expressed his gratitude for the support from his teammates and the organization as he prepares for surgery and recovery. While he won’t be able to contribute on the field, he plans to remain involved with the team and provide leadership in other ways.
Musgrove’s positive attitude and determination to overcome this setback will be a source of inspiration for his teammates as they continue their postseason journey without him on the mound. His presence in the clubhouse and his unwavering commitment to the team’s success will be invaluable during this challenging time.