Musgrove’s Health Update Takes Center Stage
Joe Musgrove shared potive updates on his recovery during the pitchers’ panel at FanFest on Saturday. “We’re rockin’ and rollin’ and feeling great,” Musgrove said. He noted that he was very close to appearing in the postseason last year. A potential playoff return by Musgrove could have become a major storyline if the Padres had advanced beyond the first round against the Cubs. The team fell short in the decive third game, allowing Musgrove more time to recover from his Tommy John surgery in October 2024.
Musgrove missed the entire 2025 season but remained a key clubhouse leader. He continued his custom of supporting starters during warm-ups and assted Nick Pivetta in adjusting to the team environment. This guidance contributed to Pivetta’s standout year, where he pitched 181.2 innings with a 2.87 ERA.
“We want to make sure our starters know that we’re there with them,” Musgrove explained. “I think it’s impactful when I’m out there warming up for a game and having all my dogs there with me.” His anticipated return to the rotation strengthens the Padres’ outlook for meeting their ambitious goals in 2026.
Shared Focus on Championship Success
The panel, featuring starters Nick Pivetta and Michael King alongde closer Mason Miller, emphazed the pitching staff’s dedication to securing a World Series title. Pivetta reflected on his strong 2025 performance with pride but stressed the need to achieve the ultimate prize in the coming season. Miller described 2025 as a year where the team ultimately fell short.
“For me, it’s about not getting too complacent,” Pivetta stated. “How am I going to put myself and my teammates in the best potion to win a World Series?”
This determination extended into the offseason preparations. The pitchers avoided discusng vacations or downtime, instead highlighting efforts to sharpen their skills for top-level competition in 2026. King, who secured a three-year, $75 million extenon in December, cited the team’s winning culture as a key factor in his decion to stay.
“The clubhouse is awesome to walk into,” King said. “Every year I’ve been here, he’s put a winning unit out there,” he added, referring to general manager A.J. Preller.
While the rotation faces uncertainties at the back end heading into 2026, the FanFest discuson underscored a unified commitment from the pitching leaders: prioritize health and pursue a championship.
