The San Diego Padres announced that starting pitcher Michael King will take an important step in his recovery by making a rehab start for Triple-A El Paso this Sunday. This move marks significant progress in the team’s efforts to bring King back to the major league rotation this season.
Details of King’s Injury and Time on Injured List
Michael King was placed on the injured list on May 25 after being removed from his scheduled start against the Atlanta Braves on May 24, due to right shoulder inflammation. Subsequent medical evaluations diagnosed him with a pinched nerve, leading to his transfer to the 60-day injured list on July 7. Since that time, King has focused on rehabilitation and expressed strong optimism about his return.
Padres’ Rotation Moves and King’s Pre-Injury Performance
During the trade deadline, the Padres strengthened their pitching staff by adding JP Sears and Nestor Cortes to the rotation. King’s return is expected to add further depth and quality. Before his injury, King was performing at a level even surpassing his impressive 2024 season, where he was seventh in National League Cy Young voting. In 2025, he posted a 2.59 ERA over 10 starts, accumulating 64 strikeouts in 55.2 innings and completing his first career shutout before his injury sidelined him.
King’s Confidence on His Return to the Mound
Despite some uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline, King has remained confident about pitching again this season. He stated,
“I’ve got a ton of confidence that what we’re doing is the correct thing to do, and I’ve felt my body progress in great ways,”
and added,
“So I’m very confident that I will pitch by the end of the year.”
—Michael King, Padres pitcher
Impact on Padres’ Playoff Hopes and Upcoming Schedule
King’s return is expected to provide a substantial boost to the Padres as they continue their pursuit of the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the NL West standings. Currently, the Padres trail the Dodgers by just three games and hold a solid Wild Card position, fueled by a six-game winning streak going into Saturday’s matchup. The team is set to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. PT.
Significance of King’s Return for Padres’ 2025 Campaign
Bringing back a pitcher of King’s caliber will be crucial for the Padres as they push deeper into the season. His strong pre-injury performances indicated his potential to make a major impact on the mound. With reinforcements like King joining new acquisitions and the existing rotation, San Diego aims to intensify its playoff bid and challenge their division rivals more aggressively. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as King’s rehab start unfolds, signaling whether he can regain full form in time to contribute down the stretch.