Joe Musgrove Wild Card roster became official Tuesday as the San Diego Padres included the veteran right-hander on their 26-man group to face the Chicago Cubs, nearly two years after his last major league appearance.
Manager Craig Stammen’s decision to activate the 34-year-old was unexpected, given Musgrove has not pitched in the big leagues since Oct. 2, 2024. He exited that clinching Wild Card Series win over Atlanta with a right elbow injury, then underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2025. His recovery extended through the entire 2026 regular season.
Musgrove made four rehab outings in August but said his postgame recovery remained challenging. He has been throwing in instructional league games this month, and the Padres evidently saw enough to bring him onto their postseason staff.
Joe Musgrove Wild Card roster decision over other arms
San Diego selected Musgrove as part of an 11-man pitching group ahead of several options, including right-hander Randy Vásquez, lefty reliever Wandy Peralta, deadline pickup Casey Mize, and Griffin Canning.
The Padres also made a notable position-player move, adding outfielder Miguel Andújar. He has been sidelined since July 19 with a broken wrist, but he took at-bats at Petco Park on Monday.
Catcher Ethan Salas, 20, made the Wild Card Series roster as anticipated. If he appears, he would become the youngest catcher ever to play in the MLB postseason. Salas was called up Sept. 1, the youngest to catch in a major league game since Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez in 1991. After a slow start, he closed the regular season with 10 hits in his final 24 at-bats.
According to the team and league records, San Diego opens the series at Petco Park against Chicago, where Wild Card Series attendance has drawn scrutiny during daytime games across the league.
The Padres are hosting the Chicago Cubs, whose official site at MLB.com lists their postseason roster and series schedule.
