When Will Joe Musgrove Return and Be Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

While not considered one of the game's elite pitchers, Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove sure was the definition of reliability from 2021-2023.

Among the 57 pitchers with at least 400 innings pitched from 2021-2023, Musgrove ranks sixth with a 3.05 ERA and 15th with a 19.4% K-BB%, the latter of which is largely contributed to stellar control that saw him post a 6.2% BB% in that time. Unfortunately, the 2024 season has not gone to plan from a health and performance standpoint as Musgrove is now dealing with his second elbow-related IL stint, leaving fantasy managers frustrated by a disappointing campaign to date.

That being said, let's check in on Musgrove's injury status, when he could return, and what fantasy managers can expect from the veteran righty upon his return to action.

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Joe Musgrove Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Updates on Musgrove's status have been few and far between as it's been hard to get a strong gauge on just when he can return to the Friars' rotation. However, Padres skipper Mike Shildt told the media on June 20 that Musgrove was set to play catch in the coming days but added: "there's nothing really new with Joe." Ugh.

Mike Shildt was asked what his goals are for this homestand, when Yu Darvish will return to the team, the latest update on Joe Musgrove and the success Jackson Merrill has had this season: pic.twitter.com/U4nJq416Pc

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) June 20, 2024

In other words: don't hold your breath fantasy managers. It has been a slow burn with this latest elbow issue as he hit the IL on June 1 and there is "nothing new" three weeks later. Fantasy managers should brace for at least another week before a meaningful update on the veteran's status comes to fruition.

Joe Musgrove Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Through 10 starts, the harmonious Musgrove sports a 5.66 ERA on the season. However, his 4.21 xFIP and 4.09 SIERA at least paint a more encouraging picture, even if his K-BB% has slipped to just 13.6% due to a regressed punchout rate and increased walk rate.

As we know, elbow injuries are fickle even at the best of times. Toe and shoulder injuries limited him to just 17 starts in 2023 after he made a minimum of 30 starts in each full season from 2019-2022, save for the shortened 2020 campaign. This is a pitcher absent of elbow-related issues prior to this season. Of course, that doesn't make this season's elbow issues any less concerning for fantasy managers looking for answers in the 2024 season.

Should he return to full health, it's quite likely Musgrove's on-field performance will improve upon his return. At the same time, the uncertainty of the timeline is certainly a hindrance. Given his track record, both redraft and dynasty managers would be well-served to hold tight until more information becomes available but there is no doubt that the lack of information decreases his value for managers in the short term.

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