Joe Musgrove Added to Padres Wild Card Roster
The veteran pitcher returns for the postseason after missing the entire 2025 season due to recovery from surgery.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Baseball
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The San Diego Padres have added Joe Musgrove to their Wild Card roster as the team prepares to face the Chicago Cubs. Musgrove, who has not pitched in an MLB game since 2024, completed a minor-league rehab stint earlier this year.
Why it matters
Musgrove serves as a key depth piece for the Padres as they aim to leverage the momentum gained from winning 43 of their final 66 regular-season games to succeed in the postseason.
In four minor-league appearances during August 2026, Musgrove recorded a 4.60 ERA and 13 strikeouts across 15.2 innings. He maintains a 3.20 ERA over 98 games pitched with the Padres since joining the club in 2021.
The players
Joe Musgrove
A veteran right-handed pitcher who joined the San Diego Padres before the 2021 season.
San Diego Padres
A Major League Baseball team based in San Diego that finished the 2026 regular season in the top Wild Card spot.
Chicago Cubs
A professional baseball team based in Chicago that is the San Diego Padres opponent for the Wild Card series.
Milwaukee Brewers
A professional baseball team based in Milwaukee that is a potential opponent for the Padres in the NLDS.
The details
After undergoing Tommy John surgery following the 2024 postseason, Musgrove spent the entirety of the 2025 season in injury recovery. He returned to the mound this August, completing a rehabilitation program across Class-A and Triple-A levels to earn his spot on the playoff roster.
Timeline
Joe Musgrove last appeared in an MLB game in 2024.
Musgrove sat out the entire 2025 season while recovering from surgery.
He made four minor-league appearances throughout August 2026.
The Padres named Musgrove to the Wild Card roster on September 30, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Musgrove's return provides the Padres with veteran rotation depth as they look to capitalize on their top Wild Card seed and secure a deep postseason run. A successful series against the Chicago Cubs would position the team to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series.
Musgrove's inclusion gives the Padres an experienced arm for high-leverage situations during the Wild Card series. Fans and analysts will monitor whether he is deployed as a spot starter or a multi-inning reliever to maximize his effectiveness after his limited 2026 workload.
The takeaway
The return of a veteran starter provides the team with tactical flexibility for the postseason grind. Recovering from significant surgery requires a disciplined rehab process that teams often prioritize over immediate performance metrics.
Further reading
For more on the team's playoff positioning, check the latest Baseball updates.
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