NowWire · AI-assisted reporting summary · September 30, 2026 UTC
San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove made his long-awaited return to the mound at Petco Park during Game 1 of the NL wild card series, marking his first Major League Baseball appearance in nearly two years. Taking the mount for the ninth inning with an 8-0 lead, Musgrove allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases before escaping unscathed to secure the win. [1]
Musgrove last pitched on October 2, 2024, in a playoff game against the Atlanta Braves. He subsequently missed the entire 2025 season following Tommy John surgery and faced rehab setbacks in 2026. Optimism regarding his return grew after he pitched in an instructional league game and completed batting practice. [1]
Sources
- Padres' hometown hero Joe Musgrove pitches first game in two years — 2026-09-30T05:03:52Z
