In a devastating blow to their postseason hopes, the San Diego Padres have announced that star pitcher Joe Musgrove will require season-ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. The injury, which typically requires 12 to 18 months of recovery time, means Musgrove will likely miss the entire 2025 campaign.
An emotional Musgrove addressed the media, saying, “I’m heartbroken about not being able to see this through with my teammates. It’s tough to come to terms with the fact that my season is over.”
Musgrove’s injury is the latest in a string of similar setbacks affecting top MLB pitchers this year, including Spencer Strider, Shane Bieber, and Alek Manoah.
The 31-year-old right-hander had been pitching through discomfort for several weeks, having previously spent time on the injured list with elbow inflammation. Despite his efforts to manage the issue, Musgrove’s condition had been deteriorating, and he was eventually forced to exit a recent playoff game with elbow tightness.
“I was told earlier this summer that there was some damage to my elbow, and it was only a matter of time before it became a bigger issue,” Musgrove explained. “I’m going to reach out to some players who have gone through similar surgeries to learn more about the process.”
The loss of Musgrove is a significant setback for the Padres, who will now turn to right-handers Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish to lead their rotation in the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the blow, the team remains confident in their ability to compete without their ace.
“Joe is a special player and an incredible leader, but we’ll find a way to adapt and move forward,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt. “He’ll be with us in spirit, even if he can’t take the mound.”
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