Padres' Joe Musgrove exits midway through start against Braves

SAN DIEGO — The Padres appeared to be headed for a wild-card win against the Atlanta Braves at wild Petco Park on Wednesday when potential disaster struck.

With two outs in the top of the fourth and the Padres leading 5-1, veteran right-hander Joe Musgrove threw a 75.2 mph curveball to Matt Olson and then a 74.2 mph curveball. The two consecutive pitches were the slowest of his career. Musgrove shook his right arm, triggering a hit on the mound. Moments later, he left the game and walked next to Padres athletic trainer Ben Fraser.

The initial concern surrounding Musgrove's departure had to do with his right elbow. The 31-year-old was on the injured list twice during the regular season due to elbow inflammation. The second stay lasted more than two months. Musgrove returned in mid-August and soon resembled his old self, posting a 2.15 ERA in nine starts.

The Padres' rotation has the depth needed to survive an extended absence from Musgrove should it come to that. Dylan Cease, who threw a no-hitter this season, is scheduled to start the team's next game. Yu Darvish, the team's most experienced starter, would follow. In Game 1 of the Padres' Wild Card Series, Michael King continued his rise to stardom with seven scoreless innings, 12 strikeouts and no walks.

But no Padres starter has delivered in October like Musgrove, who was a two-time playoff hero in 2022.

This story will be updated.

(Photo by Musgrove: Denis Poroy / Imagn Images)