The San Diego Padres have dealt with a significant blow to their pitching staff as both Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove have been placed on the 15-day injured list. Darvish has been sidelined with a left groin strain, while Musgrove is battling triceps and elbow discomfort.
The San Diego Padres have been forced to make some adjustments to their starting rotation after two of their top pitchers were placed on the injured list.
Veteran right-hander Yu Darvish has been diagnosed with a left groin strain and has been placed on the injured list, retroactive to Thursday. The 37-year-old was forced to exit his start against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday after just three innings. He remained in San Diego to receive treatment and will now miss at least the next 15 days.
Fellow co-ace Joe Musgrove was also placed on the injured list, this time with triceps and elbow discomfort. Musgrove was initially slated to start Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals, but was pulled hours before the first pitch. The same injury had previously sidelined Musgrove in May, and he only made two starts before this latest setback. His move to the injured list is retroactive to Wednesday.
The Padres have recalled right-handers Randy Vazquez and Logan Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso to fill the void in the rotation. Vazquez took Musgrove's place in the starting lineup on Saturday.
Darvish's injury is particularly concerning given his recent struggles. The right-hander has not won a game since April 25 and has a 6.00 ERA in his last five starts. Musgrove, on the other hand, has been much more consistent, posting a 3.54 ERA in nine starts this season.
The Padres are now without two of their most reliable pitchers, and it remains to be seen how they will fill the void. The team's rotation was already thin, and these injuries could put a significant strain on the remaining starters.
The Padres are currently 22-24 and sit in fourth place in the NL West. They will need to find a way to overcome these injuries if they want to remain in contention for a playoff spot.
