The San Diego Padres announced earlier today the loss of two crucial cogs to their starting rotation. Yu Darvish(left groin strain) and Joe Musgrove(elbow inflammation) are going to be sidelined for at least a few weeks as the team placed them on the 15-day IL on Saturday afternoon. Musgrove was scratched from today’s start against the Kansas City Royals. Starting Pitcher Randy Vasquez will toe the slab for the Padres this afternoon.
Darvish is 4-3 this season with an ERA of 4.20. He was roughed up in his last start against the Miami Marlins as he surrendered two earned runs over three innings of work. Musgrove has been limited this season by elbow injuries, and when he does end up taking the mound, has been far from effective. He was sidelined for three weeks in May due to the aforementioned elbow issues.
Musgrove is 3-4 this season with an ERA of 5.66. Musgrove was coming off one of his best starts of the year when he tossed 6.1 innings and surrendered one earned run against the high-powered offense of the New York Yankees last week.
How will the San Diego Padres fare without two veteran starting pitchers?
San Diego Padres Pitching Staff Struggling During 2024 Season
The Padres lose both Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove for some time pic.twitter.com/9yPdDzSyJo
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 1, 2024
The San Diego Padres(31-29) starting rotation, even before today’s crushing injury news, was not having a great amount of success this season. Their pitching staff is 16th in ERA, have surrendered the fifth-most home runs, and are second in strikeouts. Starting Pitcher Dylan Cease is leading San Diego in virtually every important pitching category. He is also third in the entire league in strikeouts(87) and 11th in WHIP(0.97). Closer Robert Suarez is second in the league with 17 saves. He has yet to blow a save this regular season.
Padres Offense Powering Club In 2024
San Diego’s offense has been great so far this season. They are second in batting average, 17th in home runs, and eighth in runs scored. Their offense is paced by Left Fielder Jurickson Profar and First Baseman Jake Cronenworth. Profar is second in the league in batting average and eighth in OPS. Profar hit a gaudy .344 in May. Cronenworth is 12th in the league with 38 RBI. San Diego’s offense will need to continue playing well, especially with Darvish and Musgrove sidelined for an extended period.
The Padres are second in the National League West and currently occupy the second National League Wild Card spot. They have won six of their last nine games and four of their last five.
Padres Upcoming Schedule
This injury news comes at a miserable time for the San Diego Padres. Beginning with Friday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals, the San Diego Padres play 13 straight games. San Diego’s offense came alive last night as they defeated the Royals 11-8. The Padres have two more games this weekend against the Royals before heading to Los Angeles for a three-game set against the Angels beginning on Monday.
The San Diego Padres will look to tread water and remain in the playoff picture until their two key starting pitchers can return to the ballclub. San Diego is looking to return to the MLV Playoffs this season following a disappointing 2023 season.
About The Author
Justin has always loved sports. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated and 247Sports. He is always willing to talk football (NFL or college) and basketball, whether it’s on the women’s or men’s side, college or pro! Check out all of the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy
