The San Diego Padres are currently grappling with rotation difficulties as they await news on Michael King‘s injury while managing the continued absence of Yu Darvish. King was pulled from the lineup before Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves and was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, leaving the Padres with fewer options in their pitching staff.
Manager Mike Shildt addressed the status of his injured pitchers prior to Tuesday’s matchup against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park. Regarding Darvish’s condition, Shildt shared a cautiously optimistic update.
“Well, he’s done well today, and we’ll see what tomorrow looks like. But we’re progressing and still getting our hands around what exactly is going on with him, but he’s playing catch, and he’s feeling good then have an opportunity to take it next step.”
While Darvish shows signs of steady recovery, uncertainty remains about King’s condition, which involves a less common scapula injury.
“There’s really not,” Shildt said on any update on King’s injury. “I know he’s gonna get better again, but it’s a little bit of uncharted territory. This isn’t a very common injury that takes place. Our medical team, which are amazing, are working with our team doctors, which are also amazing, and it’s just to figure out exactly what’s going on.
“So, from what I understand, I mean, clearly, an improvement is important initially at any time somebody gets injured or hurt, but I think it’s especially important with this particular what he’s dealing with. We’ll know more sooner than later. But, that’s all we know at the moment.”
Ongoing Uncertainty Surrounds Michael King as Padres Face Demanding Schedule
The Padres have been without Darvish since Spring Training, and the lack of clarity regarding King’s injury further complicates pitching plans during a critical stretch. Shildt emphasized the challenge of understanding King’s condition given its novelty and complexity.
“We’re still trying to figure out exactly what’s taking place with the [scapula],” Shildt said. “So we’re still exploring what it is and what it looks like long-term.”
San Diego is about to embark on a grueling sequence of 13 consecutive games starting Friday, with no scheduled days off. This relentless schedule puts additional pressure on the team to adapt in King’s absence and maintain competitiveness within the NL West.
Implications of Injuries for Padres’ Rotation and Future Outlook
The Padres’ pitching rotation struggles underscore the importance of healthy contributions from their key arms. Darvish’s gradual recovery offers a hopeful sign for the team, but King’s prolonged uncertainty creates a gap that could hinder the rotation’s overall stability. With an intense stretch of games on the horizon, the Padres must balance medical caution and competitive urgency.
Accurate assessment and treatment of King’s uncommon scapula injury will be critical for his return timeline, and the medical staff’s thorough approach aims to avoid setbacks in what has so far been an unpredictable situation. As the Padres face a demanding schedule without sufficient rest, how they manage these injuries will play a significant role in their NL West positioning moving forward.