3 Key Padres Pitchers Will Play in Cactus League Opener Against Dodgers

These three Friars will take the mound in the Padres' first spring training game of 2024.

Spring training is moving fast for the San Diego Padres. Their first Cactus League game will be on Thursday against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While many of their top players won't play (at least for very long), three of San Diego's key pitchers will be on the mound on Thursday. 

According to the San Diego Tribune's Jeff Sanders, pitchers Michael King and Joe Musgrove will pitch in the team's first game. And according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Yuki Matsui will make his debut, too.

Joe Musgrove and Michael King to pitch Thursday against Dodgers.

— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) February 18, 2024

Yuki Matsui is scheduled to make his stateside debut Thursday against the Dodgers, Mike Shildt said. He'll pitch sometime after Joe Musgrove and Michael King.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 20, 2024

Musgrove was shut down in 2023 after suffering a right shoulder injury. It was an injury-riddled season for the 31-year-old former All-Star.

Whether it was a kettlebell to his foot or a fractured big toe, Musgrove had trouble being a common fixture on the mound. His playing on Thursday is an excellent start to the season. 

As for King, he had his own injuries in 2023, notably a fractured olecranon crown — the tip of his elbow. That caused his season to end early.

It's a great sign that he's ready to go on the first day of the Cactus League, as he's expected to be the team's No. 3 starter.

As for Matsui, he's expected to factor into the late innings of the Padres' bullpen. The team is very high on him after signing him to a five-year, $33.6 million deal.

It was a rather unlucky season for the Padres in 2024 as everything that could go wrong did. They'll look to change their luck in 2024, and so far, things seem to be heading in the right direction.