Dodgers News: Padres’ Joe Musgrove Status For NLDS Matchup Determined
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt has ruled starting pitcher Joe Musgrove out of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, via Alden González of ESPN.
Musgrove exited in his Game 2 start against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday during the top of the fourth inning because of elbow tightness. Catcher Kyle Higashioka could tell something was wrong with Musgrove and went over to check up on Musgrove. Musgrove was then pulled out of the game.
Musgrove had pitched 3.2 innings before exiting, allowing one hit and one earned run while striking out four. The Padres’ bullpen managed to limit the Braves to three more runs and earn a 5-4 win after Musgrove left, securing their berth to the NLDS.
“From the start it didn’t feel great,” Musgrove said, via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. “I was capable of making pitches and felt all right. But going out for that fourth inning, nothing felt right.”
The Padres have not fully determined whether Musgrove could return or not if they defeat the Dodgers and advance to the NLCS.
“I’m frustrated, I don’t know what the future looks like for me right now,” Musgrove said. “But I know I’m going to give it every chance I have, and I’ll do whatever I’ve got to do to get back in there at some point.”
Musgrove has previously dealt with an elbow injury this season. He missed two months of the season on the 60-day injured list because of a bone spur in his elbow. He returned to the Padres, and had been one of the team’s hottest pitchers since coming off the IL. He posted a 2.15 ERA since coming off the IL, and recorded five starts with zero earned runs allowed after his return.
Musgrove pitched against the Dodgers twice this season. He had a disastrous first start in the second game of the series in Seoul, South Korea, allowing five earned runs over just 2.2 innings. He made his final regular season over six months later against the Dodgers, allowing two earned runs and five hits over 6.1 innings.
Even though Musgrove is officially out for this series, he wasn’t guaranteed to start in the NLDS anyway. The Padres are already starting Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish in Game 1 and Game 2. Since Musgrove started the team’s most recent Wild Card game, King would likely start Game 3.
This means the series would have had to advance to a Game 4 or Game 5 before Musgrove would have a chance at starting again.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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