San Diego Padres Starting Rotation Hit Hard by Injuries

The San Diego Padres are right in the mix for a playoff spot in the National League. They are 32-29 entering play on Sunday, winners in five out of their last six games. Alas, keeping up that level of production is going to be difficult in the coming weeks.

Their pitching rotation was hit hard by injuries over the weekend. The San Diego Padres placed both Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove on the 15-day injured list. Darvish is dealing with a left groin strain which forced him out of his last start on Wednesday.

After a hot stretch that included four straight starts without allowing a run, Darvish was hit hard in his last two outings. The New York Yankees and Miami Marlins both hit him hard, as the injuries could have played a part in his production falling off.

Musgrove, who was already on the injured list once this season, is heading back with continued triceps and elbow discomfort. He went 20 days in between starts last time and returned to make two starts against the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees.

Against New York, he threw 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and only one earned run in a 5-2 victory. He has been replaced by Randy Vazquez in the starting rotation, who was called up from Triple-A El Paso. Vazquez started on Saturday in Musgrove’s place, picking up a win over the Kansas City Royals.

Darvish’s turn in the rotation comes up again on Tuesday. The starter has not been announced, but the team could turn to Logan Gillaspie. He was called up along with Vazquez to take their roster spots.

Gillaspie has made two relief appearances with the San Deigo Padres this season and didn’t allow a run. He joined the organization after spending the past two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, where he made 30 appearances.