More than a year has passed since Joe Musgrove last appeared on a mound in a professional game. The Padres’ right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery on Oct. 11, 2024, a procedure that rendered him unavailable for last year’s postseason run and all of 2025, as well.<\/p>\n
Until the Padres were eliminated<\/a> in Game 3 of their National League Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs last week, Musgrove held out hope for returning this month \u2014 despite the fact that he hasn’t appeared in a minor league rehab game this year.<\/p>\n More news: Padres\u2019 Fernando Tatis Receives $3.7 Million of Bad News in Big League Advance Case<\/a><\/p>\n In September, Musgrove said (via Dennis Lin of The Athletic<\/a>) that he had a “tendonitis-type feeling” in his arm that slowed down his throwing progression, delaying his ability to ramp up. <\/p>\n In theory, the only thing Musgrove has to “ramp up” for now is the 2026 season. In practice, the pitcher might have another target in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to re-map everything out, plan for spring training being my return,\u201d Musgrove said, via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com<\/a>. \u201cThere\u2019s the possibility of throwing some winter ball in the offseason, just to see how it feels, get some live looks. But I don\u2019t have a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n Tommy John surgery typically involves a rehabilitation process of 12 to 18 months. Musgrove, 32, might be expected to need the full amount of recovery time by virtue of his age.<\/p>\n Musgrove didn’t use age as an excuse for delaying his return, however.<\/p>\n