San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove delivered five-plus efficient innings for Triple-A El Paso in what is expected to be his final minor-league rehab start, throwing 42 of 60 pitches for strikes while scattering a run and five hits without issuing a walk.
Musgrove’s steady progression through the minor-league assignment brings the starting pitcher to the threshold of a return to the major-league rotation. According to statements gathered from Padres manager Craig Stammen by 97.3 The Fan San Diego, the right-hander is slated to throw a bullpen session over the weekend. Providing his physical response remains clean, the team plans to activate him immediately following the upcoming minor-league sequence.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- Surgical Recovery: Musgrove is returning from an elbow injury sustained during the October 2024 NL Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves, an injury that required Tommy John surgery.
- Rehab Workload Progression: Musgrove has increased his workload across four minor-league appearances, touching 97 mph in an earlier mid-August outing and sitting consistently at 93 to 95 mph with his four-seam fastball during his latest start.
- Management of Secondary Musculoskeletal Stress: Musgrove recently managed a minor back issue that temporarily delayed his schedule, though the back issue isn’t viewed as a major concern and he hasn’t incurred any setbacks with his surgically repaired elbow since beginning his rehab assignment Aug. 4.
Navigating the Rehabilitation Timeline and Roster Integration
Musgrove initially began his minor-league assignment on August 4 with low Single-A Lake Elsinore, pitching two and two-thirds innings. Subsequent outings with Triple-A El Paso tested his endurance across three and a third innings on August 9 and four and two-thirds innings on August 14, where he allowed five earned runs while building up to 70 pitches.
Musgrove was originally scheduled to pitch last weekend but experienced a minor back tweak during pre-start preparations. That setback pushed his fourth rehab start to Thursday at Oklahoma City, where he worked with top catching prospect Ethan Salas. Musgrove retired five shutout frames before yielding a single and a double in the sixth inning to Oklahoma City hitters Alex Freeland and Miller.
From a roster management perspective, the timing of Musgrove’s return aligns with major-league roster expansion rules. Major League Baseball rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on September 1. If Musgrove makes his next appearance on four-day rest, he could step directly into the Padres rotation as early as September 1. Alternatively, if the club elects to push him toward a six-inning, 85-pitch threshold as desired by the team, his rehab assignment would require formal renewal on September 2, positioning him for a return during the upcoming homestand.
Medical Data Summary: Musgrove’s 2026 Rehab Progression
| Date | Affiliate | Innings Pitched | Earned Runs | Strikeouts | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 4, 2026 | Lake Elsinore (Low-A) | 2.67 | 1 | Not Reported | Initial game action. |
| August 9, 2026 | El Paso (Triple-A) | 3.33 | 1 | Not Reported | Continued evaluation. |
| August 14, 2026 | El Paso (Triple-A) | 4.67 | 5 | 5 | Reached 70-pitch count; radar gun touched 97 mph. |
| August 27, 2026 | El Paso (Triple-A) | 5.17 | 1 | 3 | Efficient 60-pitch outing (42 strikes); paired with C Ethan Salas. |
