Joe Musgrove has been named to the San Diego Padres’ 26-man roster for the National League Wild Card Series, marking his return to postseason play nearly two years after his last major league appearance. The veteran right-handed pitcher, 34, was a surprise inclusion on the roster announced ahead of the Padres’ matchup against the Chicago Cubs.

Musgrove's previous outing came on October 2, 2024, during the Padres’ wild card series victory over the Atlanta Braves, when he exited the game due to a right elbow injury. Following that, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. His recovery extended longer than initially expected, causing him to miss the 2026 regular season as well.

In August, Musgrove made four rehab appearances as part of his gradual comeback, though he reported continued challenges with postgame recovery. More recently, he pitched in instructional league games, a development that appeared to influence the Padres' decision to include him on the postseason roster.

The Padres selected Musgrove for their 11-man postseason pitching staff over other candidates, including right-handed pitcher Randy Vásquez, left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta, and recent trade deadline acquisitions Casey Mize and Griffin Canning. Manager Craig Stammen’s choice reflects confidence in Musgrove’s potential contributions despite his extended absence.

Musgrove’s addition provides the Padres with an experienced arm as they seek to advance in the postseason. His recovery and performance in the coming games will be closely watched after the challenging road back to the major leagues.