As the July 30 Trade Deadline approaches, the San Diego Padres are once again a team to watch. However, the most significant boosts to their roster may come after the deadline in the form of returning star players Fernando Tatis Jr. and Joe Musgrove.
During the All-Star break, the Padres received encouraging updates on the progress of Tatis, who is recovering from a right femoral stress reaction, and Musgrove, who has been sidelined with right elbow inflammation. Their potential returns in August could be more impactful than any trade acquisition, giving the Padres a significant boost as they push for a strong finish to the season.
As of the latest updates, the specific return date for Fernando Tatis Jr. has not been officially confirmed. The Padres received positive news on his recovery from a right femoral stress reaction, but his return will depend on how he progresses in his rehabilitation. Typically, a return timeline would be determined based on his response to increased activity and how well his injury heals. The Padres will likely monitor his condition closely before making any announcements regarding his return to the lineup. Keep an eye on official updates from the team for more precise information.
Fernando Tatis Jr., who has been out of action since late June due to a right femoral stress reaction, recently underwent an MRI that revealed the injury hasn’t fully healed yet. However, the results were encouraging enough that Tatis has resumed some baseball activities. According to Padres manager Mike Shildt, while the stress reaction is still present, the swelling and fluid around the injury have significantly reduced. This improvement has allowed Tatis to begin swinging a bat and engaging in light lower-body exercises.
Tatis will undergo further imaging soon to monitor the healing progress. Once the stress reaction fully heals, he is expected to ramp up his activities quickly. Shildt mentioned that Tatis likely won’t need much time to get back into game shape once he’s cleared for a full return.
Regarding Joe Musgrove, who has been sidelined since May due to elbow inflammation and triceps tendinitis caused by a bone spur, he recently took a significant step forward in his recovery. Musgrove threw his first bullpen session at Petco Park, focusing mostly on fastballs. He plans to gradually incorporate breaking pitches in his upcoming bullpen sessions during the Padres’ road trip through Cleveland, Washington, and Baltimore.
This marks Musgrove’s second stint on the injured list this season for the same issue. His first recovery period was brief, which didn’t give his elbow sufficient time to heal. This time, Musgrove took a month off from throwing and received a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection. He has reported no lingering issues during his current buildup, which is a positive sign for his return.