Skip to main content
Inside The Padres

Padres Roundup: Joe Musgrove Good News, Ethan Salas Call-Up in Question, Huge Series Incoming

Catch up on all the latest Padres news and notes.
Gabe Smallson|
Feb 18, 2026; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (44) during spring training photo day. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Feb 18, 2026; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (44) during spring training photo day. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In this story:

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres have a positive update regarding right-hander Joe Musgrove as he spoke, from an airport restaurant of all places, on his 2026 debut. Team insider Kevin Acee recently reported the expectation for Musgrove when he makes his return.

"Primarily, the Padres want to make sure Musgrove is built up enough to not only throw 80-plus pitches in a game but to recover and be able to do it again five or six days later," Acee wrote.

Musgrove spoke earlier this month on the new pitchers being acquired at the trade deadline not having much to do with his progressions back to the mound, but that his fitness is at the top of his priority list upon his arrival.

“Maybe mentally,” he said. “I don’t think it changes a whole lot with how I’m pushing to get back and the time frame I want to get back. I want to be back as soon as possible, especially now that I’m feeling physically capable of it. I’m more enticing them to push me a little bit quicker. But it provides a little bit of mental relief, I guess, that it’s not like we’re wearing our bullpen out every day, and now we’ve got some starters in there that can throw some innings and get some length out of it. Guys that have done it for a while. So that part of it feels good.”

In other news, there is an unexpected roadblock in the potential call-up of top prospect Ethan Salas. The backstop is absolutely raking at the Triple-A level, hitting .351 with 20 RBIs and an 1.075 OPS through his first 15 games since graduating the Double-A track.

According to Acee, the presumed MLB lockup plays a factor in the reason that Salas and his bat are still in the minors.

"However, there is little concern that Salas would not stay as physically ready — and even more ready — than most players during the expected lockout," Acee added. "The team considers his work ethic to be among his greatest attributes."

Finally, San Diego has another season-altering series with the Minnesota Twins starting on Friday. The Friars currently hold a one-game lead for the final wild-card spot.

Here’s all the latest Padres news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Padres' Joe Musgrove Announces Injury Update in Unexpected Setting

Padres Reportedly Hesitant to Call Up Ethan Salas for One Unexpected Reason

Padres Announce Starting Pitchers for Huge Series vs Twins

2 Recent Padres Castoffs Have Already Been Cut By Their New Teams

Padres Tweets of the Day

Sign up for our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X/Twitter for the latest news.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles with a focus in sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at Newsweek and Dodgers Nation. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and received his Masters of Science at the University of Southern California in 2025.

Share on XFollow gabesmallson
Home/San Diego Padres News