Devastating News For San Diego Padres & Joe Musgrove Ahead of NLDS

That didn't take long. Absolutely brutal news for Joe Musgrove and the San Diego Padres as they get set for the National League Division Series.

The veteran starter was forced to leave his Game 2 start of the Wild Card Series just two days ago against the Atlanta Braves with right elbow tightness. He threw just 41 pitches.

The verdict was swift and decisive for Musgrove: Tommy John Surgery.

Joe Musgrove has a UCL injury and will undergo Tommy John surgery pic.twitter.com/L9yVoma1xH
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 4, 2024

That "elbow tightness" was the dreaded ulnar collateral ligament, and that means going under the knife for TJ surgery. Musgrove, 31, will now miss the entire 2025 season, and possibly the start of the 2026 season as well.

The beleaguered starter had already missed about a third of the season due to inflammation in the elbow, requiring several trips to the IL. He came back and finished the season strong, however, posting a 3.18 ERA in his last four starts of the regular campaign, with a 0.97 WHIP and 11.9 K/9.

Overall, he finished the year with a 3.88 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a 101:23 strikeout to walk ratio.

He has three seasons to go on his 5-year, $100 million contract, though we know now that at least one of those three will be wiped out while he recovers from surgery.

The Padres' rotation going forward for the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers will consist of Dylan Cease, Michael King and Yu Darvish, with Martin Perez if necessary.