The Padres announced that right-hander Joe Musgrove was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. That's right Randy Vasquez was called up from Triple-A to replace Musgrove on the active roster and San Diego's rotation.
Specifically, Musgrove is suffering from triceps tendinitis, as the Padres told reporters (incl Dennis Lin of the Athletic). Since the IL placement was described as a precaution, it's possible that Musgrove could miss at least 15 days if the triceps problem isn't too bad. However, the return to IL continues Musgrove's injury-related woes that have spanned two seasons.
A broken toe in a Spring Training weight room accident delayed Musgrove's 2023 start until late April, and he was limited to 17 starts after a flare-up of shoulder inflammation sent him back to IL in late July, and ultimately ended his season. The former All-Star still posted a 3.05 ERA in 97 1/3 innings during these IL seasons, but Musgrove is off to a slow start in 2024.
No pitcher in baseball has allowed more home runs (10) or more runs (29) than Musgrove this season, as he pitched to a 6.37 ERA over eight starts and 41 innings. This long ball problem has naturally coincided with a significant decline in Musgrove's barrels and barrel rate, and his strikeout and hardball rates are also below average.
It's possible that Musgrove's elbow problem has contributed to these struggles, or that there may be lingering effects from his long layoff in 2023. Considering that his injury does not keep him sidelined for long, this visit to IL can be considered as an opportunity for Musgrove to resume his season after his time off.
Getting Musgrove healthy and effective atop the rotation is important to the Padres' hopes, as Musgrove being an unexpected weak link has contributed to the rotation's overall inconsistent performance. Dylan Cease it was big again Yu Darvish has begun to stabilize after a difficult start of his, while Michael King again Matt Waldron both high and low.
Vazquez also pitched a pair, posting a 5.87 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander was found as part of a Juan Soto trade package from the Yankees this past winter, and it remains to be seen if starting pitching will be his long-term role. Despite starting 92 of 102 professional games, Vazquez hasn't shown much in Triple-A (5.19 ERA in 95 1/3 innings of work) or his 45 1/3 frames in the majors. He'll get another look in Musgrove's absence, though the Padres could approach Vazquez's starting bullpen if he can deliver consistent good innings before games.
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