Padres get realistic Joe Musgrove return window with rotation still under pressure

The Joe Musgrove timeline has been exhausting for Padres fans. It's been unpredictable. There have been positive updates, but ultimately, we have not seen Musgrove pitch in an MLB game in two years.

The fans miss him in more ways than one. Yes, he was once an ace of the staff, but he provided a culture and an energy to the dugout that fit the Friars' exciting mold perfectly. Hopefully, the long wait for his return, two-fold, is nearing its end.

Musgrove will start throwing again this week with a semi-realistic return to the mound after the 2026 All-Star Break. We've heard this all before, though. This is a positive update, and it's easy to get overtly excited, but fans should take it with a grain of salt.

Joe Musgrove's return to the Padres should still be proceeded with patience

Musgrove appeared in a spring training game earlier this year. Facing Great Britain in early March, Musgrove was rearing back on his fastballs, reaching the mid-90s with ease. It finally seemed like Musgrove was out of the woods of his Tommy John recovery. There was even a point during spring training when he expected himself to not be held to an innings limit in 2026. But then he injured his right elbow again.

For a guy in his mid-30s, these concerns cannot be taken lightly. We don't know what version of him we'll get if he ever pitches in a regular season again, and if he does, how long will that last? The Padres need pitching reinforcements right now, whether that be from a starter or a reliever. Musgrove hinted that he could return to a relief role right now, though he would probably still need to remain cautious.

But, rushing him back will not be the resolution to San Diego's pitching problem, nor Musgrove's longevity. So, eyeing a post-All-Star Break return might be the stronger and more realistic timeline to get him to full health and be fully ramped up as a starting pitcher. We just hope that this new timeline is the right one to see our guy back doing his thing on the mound.

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