When is Joe Musgrove Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Return Update

Joe Musgrove has been one of the quieter star pitchers in the game of baseball over the past few seasons. Whether it's the East Coast bias or not, the Padres right-hander has turned in a 3.18 ERA or better in each of the last three seasons and a 3.86 ERA or better in each of the last four. The stellar run-prevention has come alongside pinpoint control by way of a career 6.1% BB% in parts of nine MLB campaigns.

That's what makes his rocky start to 2024 so curious. He was rocked for five earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings against the Dodgers overseas to begin his season, helping lead to a ghastly 6.37 ERA across his first eight starts before hitting the shelf with right elbow inflammation.

Despite his subpar early results, fantasy managers are eager to find out when they can expect a return and a potential turnaround from the prized right-hander.

• Fantasy baseball injury reports
• Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
• Daily MLB starting lineups for fantasy baseball
• Fantasy baseball BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
• Fantasy baseball PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
• Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts, bullpens, saves
• Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard, daily leaderboards

Joe Musgrove Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on May 10 that Musgrove played catch from 90 feet while also sharing that the 31-year-old underwent further imaging to ensure his elbow's ligaments remain intact.

"It was ugly. It’s a tough way to learn."#Padres notes:

What Matt Waldron's been working on following the worst start of his career and the changes he made even before that. Plus the latest on Joe Musgrove. https://t.co/AtvTm2WLQD pic.twitter.com/2Atr7C4PE3

— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) May 11, 2024

"Yeah, we got some imaging done," Musgrove said. "Looked at it, make sure the ligament's all intact and everything looks really good. "Just some inflammation."

Musgrove also relayed his timetable himself.

"Everything else is solid," he said. "Nothing more than this 15 days."

Joe Musgrove Fantasy Baseball Outlook

The update should be music to fantasy managers' ears. Elbow injuries and subsequent devastating fortunes have seemingly run rampant this season but it appears that Musgrove, the Padres, and the fantasy community have dodged a bullet.

There is plenty of reason to be optimistic about a positive turn of events for Musgrove upon his return. After all, his 4.29 xFIP and 4.13 SIERA are miles below his surface ERA and his control has remained solid by way of a 7.3% BB%.

The two main issues have been the long ball and a lack of strikeouts. Musgrove owns a 2.20 HR/9 and a 20.1% K% on the season, both well off of career norms. While his 23.7% K% for his career isn't much to write home about, his career 1.16 HR/9 suggests the home runs should come down, especially with a 22.7% HR/FB% that is astronomically above his 13.3% career mark.

Fantasy managers would be wise to hold tight and welcome Musgrove back with open arms after what should be a minimum stay on the injured list.

More Fantasy Baseball Analysis