Joe Musgrove has returned to the San Diego Padres’ postseason roster almost two years after his most recent major league outing, securing an unexpected spot on the club’s 26-man squad for the NL Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs.
The experienced right-hander had not taken the mound for his hometown club since Oct. 2, 2024, when he exited the Padres’ Wild Card Series-clinching victory over Atlanta due to a right elbow injury. He subsequently had Tommy John surgery and sat out the entire 2025 campaign, while a lengthy rehabilitation process kept him sidelined for the whole 2026 regular season.
Joe Musgrove makes Padres’ Wild Card roster
Musgrove, who is now 34, completed four rehab outings in August, but he admitted that bouncing back after those appearances stayed challenging. He kept throwing in instructional league games this month, and his performance there seemingly persuaded San Diego that he could help during the postseason.
The Padres chose Musgrove for their 11-man pitching staff over several other options. Those omitted included right-hander Randy Vásquez, left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta, trade deadline acquisition Casey Mize, and Griffin Canning.
His addition follows a recovery that moved far more slowly than anticipated, leaving him without a regular-season appearance in 2026.
Padres’ pitching staff takes shape
Musgrove’s selection was among the notable choices made by manager Craig Stammen before San Diego hosted Chicago.
The Padres had multiple candidates for the final spots on their postseason pitching staff but ultimately decided to include Musgrove despite his absence from major league action since 2024.
The choice came after his recent work in instructional league games, where San Diego apparently saw enough to add the veteran right-hander to the Wild Card Series roster.
Miguel Andújar also joins the postseason roster
Outfielder Miguel Andújar was another surprising addition to the Padres’ roster. He had not appeared since July 19 after suffering a broken wrist, but he resumed taking at-bats at Petco Park on Monday.
His inclusion provides San Diego with another player coming back from a long absence as the team gets ready for its Wild Card Series against the Cubs.
Ethan Salas set for MLB postseason
Ethan Salas, San Diego’s 20-year-old catcher, also earned a place on the Wild Card Series roster as anticipated. If he plays in the series, he will become the youngest catcher ever to appear in the MLB postseason.
Salas was promoted on Sept. 1 and became the youngest player to catch a major league game since Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez in 1991. After a slow start, he finished the regular season strongly, recording 10 hits in his final 24 at-bats.