Fernando Tatis Jr & Joe Musgrove could Return to Padres Lineup Same Game

It would be a special, special day in San Diego.

Fans of the San Diego Padres have already been counting the days until Fernando Tatis Jr returns back to the team and finally restakes his claim as one of the best young stars the game has ever seen. Everybody has had April 20th circled on their calendars as that is the first day he is eligible to return from his suspension.

However, Friars fans may have yet another guest to add to that welcome-back party in Joe Musgrove. It's no secret that he has almost been working day and night and salivating to make his season debut that got postponed due to a dropped weight on his foot.

It was originally projected that the All-Star pitcher could return to the Friars the week of April 13 but he unfortunately took a fall on his shoulder that the medical staff wants to be careful with. He's been playing in the teams' AAA affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, 

Musgrove tried to make a hustle play in his most recent game after getting hit by a pitch and made a diving throw that resulted him landing on his shoulder and requiring a cortisone shot.

Joe Musgrove received a cortisone shot (right shoulder) yesterday. Could play catch tomorrow, throw a bullpen a couple days after that & make rehab start for Triple-A this weekend.
This would seemingly push his season debut to at least the Arizona series April 20-23.

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) April 10, 2023

"Joe Musgrove received a cortisone shot (right shoulder) yesterday. Could play catch tomorrow, throw a bullpen a couple days after that & make rehab start for Triple-A this weekend. This would seemingly push his season debut to at least the Arizona series April 20-23."

(Via Kevin Acee)

Musgrove getting that cortisone shot means that there is definitely some pain there but they do not want him out for an extended period of time. He is currently posting a 4.15 ERA as he tries to find his footing again.

Fernando Tatis Jr. on the other hand has logged four games with El Paso and is currently slashing .231/.474/.539 while seeing growing success whenever he steps up to the plate.

Kade McClure will be telling people for years about the time he gave up an absolute nuke to Fernando Tatis Jr. 😳pic.twitter.com/JNOlxN8T3U

— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) April 6, 2023

It would be amazing to see both of these stars return the same game but we will welcome them back with open arms whenever they are ready.