Padres' Joe Musgrove injury update brings healthy amount of cautious optimism

Whenever any pitcher is dealing with an injury that is described as elbow inflammation that also includes a bone spur, there is genuine cause for concern. The San Diego Padres were relying on Joe Musgrove to anchor their rotation in 2024 and unfortunately, he hasn't been able to do so since early June due to his arm troubles.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, understanding Musgrove's injury situation and timeline will be critical in figuring out just how aggressive the team needs to be in acquiring starting pitcher. They are already making overtures for Garrett Crochet, but whether or not Musgrove will return in the near future could be the deciding factor when it comes to San Diego's willingness to put their top prospects on the table.

There is some good news to report as the Padres enter the second half of the regular season here. Musgrove's early bullpen sessions have gone well and he is set to throw a full intensity bullpen on Wednesday.

Padres News: Joe Musgrove making progress, but long-term questions remain

Objectively, this is positive news. The current reports suggest that while San Diego isn't going to have Musgrove throwing much in the way of breaking pitches in this first true bullpen, he will be throwing his fastball at his normal effort and will progress to breaking stuff in his next sessions assuming that goes well. This news doesn't mean a rehab assignment is imminent, but it is a step in the right direction.

The problem here is the nature of Musgrove's injury. Elbow inflammation happens to plenty of pitchers that don't have a more serious, underlying injury. However, Musgrove is apparently dealing with a bone spur which is an issue that won't go completely away without surgical intervention. You can play with bone spurs, but if they are rubbing up against ligaments or soft tissues, they can cause lingering soreness and even long-term damage.

Hopefully, Musgrove's case is one where he just tweaked something and he can pitch around the spur in his elbow. Again, there is precedent for pitchers doing just that. However, if his spur continues to give him issues, don't be surprised if his next injury absence is significantly longer.

More Padres News from Friars on Base