Padres News: Joe Musgrove Open to Earlier Return if Friars Still in Playoff Hunt

Musgrove just wants to help the team win games.

Things haven’t quite gone the way that the San Diego Padres were hoping this season. It has been a frustrating year all around for the franchise, and they are still trying to fight their way back into contention.

The team has heavily underperformed from what the hype was around them entering the season. Their offense has been widely inconsistent from day one and has been one of the biggest issues for this club.

As the calendar gets closer to September, the Padres still find themselves multiple games back of the final wild-card spot in the National League. They have also seen a few injuries of late, and depending on how the team performs, it will impact if the players return to action.

Notably, Joe Musgrove, who is out dealing with an injury, is open to a return earlier if the team is in playoff position.

“I mean, if we’re a game or two out, and I’ve got a chance to come back earlier and throw out of the pen or shorter distance (as a starter), it all depends on where we’re at,” he said. “But we haven’t even talked about that idea. But I know I’ll be ready sooner as a reliever than I will be as a starter. So if we needed the arm and things lined up, there is a chance I could throw out of the bullpen. But I think the value for me and they want me as a starter if we get in the postseason. So it wouldn’t make much sense to stop the progression of the starter rehab.”

Per The SD Union-Tribune

With the way that the Padres have performed this year, it remains a question mark where they will be in a couple of weeks. One day they look like the team that many expected them to be, and then the next, they fall back into old habits.

It has caused much frustration among players and coaches. The expectations that were put on this team have seemingly caused them to falter, and they have nobody to blame but themselves.

However, there is still time to turn this thing around. But the team is going to need to get it together quickly. They will need to put together a few solid weeks of baseball and have help from the teams ahead of them in the standings as well. It won’t be easy but you really can never say never.