Joe Musgrove is poised for a comeback this season with the San Diego Padres following a year of recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 33-year-old right-hander expressed his excitement during a recent community event, highlighting his commitment not only to the team but also to the local community.
On Sunday, Musgrove joined Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a refurbished ballpark at San Dieguito County Park, home to the Miracle League of San Diego. This organization provides opportunities for youth and adults with special needs to engage in organized baseball. Musgrove emphasized the importance of being role models, stating, “We both have a desire to be more than just players. We want to be an impact in the community of San Diego.”
The event was particularly meaningful for Musgrove, who, along with Merrill and the Padres Foundation, contributed a total of $300,000 towards the renovation of the facility. “This is a place that a lot of these kids have grown up; some of these adults now have been playing for 15 years here,” he noted. Musgrove compared the excitement of the community to that of a player stepping into a new ballpark for the first time.
Preparing for Spring Training
With spring training set to begin in the second week of February, Musgrove is eager to return to the mound. After missing significant time due to surgery in October 2024, he is now fully prepared to participate in the upcoming training sessions. “Extremely excited,” Musgrove said regarding his return to the field. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out on the field… I feel like I’m in a good position physically, mentally for the season.”
Throughout the offseason, Musgrove maintained his throwing regimen, continuing to work hard despite his absence from competitive play. He resumed throwing in mid-December and is now executing all his pitches during bullpen sessions. “Over the last three, four weeks, I’ve really started to hit a stride,” he explained. He feels physically prepared, having focused on tuning his body for the demands of a full season.
Musgrove’s recent performance statistics reveal his resilience. Despite injuries limiting his innings to fewer than 100 since 2022, he managed a 3.47 ERA over his 36 starts during challenging seasons. His ability to perform under pressure has not gone unnoticed by the Padres’ management.
Expectations for the Upcoming Season
Padres president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, has high expectations for Musgrove. “We expect him to be a guy that can throw a lot of innings for us this year,” Preller stated. The team hopes Musgrove can return to the form he showcased in 2021 and 2022, when he ranked among the top 16 pitchers in Major League Baseball for various significant statistics.
Musgrove acknowledges there will be some limitations as he returns to full capacity. “I’m sure there are going to be limitations on the innings and how many pitches they will let me go out of the gates,” he remarked. He is ready to adapt his approach to ensure he remains healthy and effective, especially with the postseason in mind. “If that means skipping a start here or there… I’m already at peace with having to do that if that means I get to throw in October.”
As Musgrove embarks on this new season, both fans and teammates will be closely watching his journey. His dedication to both the game and his community exemplifies the spirit of a player who aims not only to excel on the field but also to make a positive impact off it.
