Michael King is preparing to rejoin the San Diego Padres’ pitching rotation after a nerve injury sidelined him for over two months. On Sunday, King made his first rehab start with Triple-A El Paso, and though he gave up six earned runs, the Padres’ manager Mike Shildt indicated that King’s next start could be back in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>Major League Baseball, possibly as soon as this weekend during the Padres’ home series against the Boston Red Sox. This Michael King Padres return comes at a critical time for the team’s playoff aspirations.
Manager Confident but Cautious About King’s MLB Comeback
Mike Shildt spoke to reporters about King’s status, acknowledging that while he is not completely certain King will skip another rehab start, he has significant confidence in King’s readiness to return to the big leagues.
“There’s a really good chance – not going to put it in pen, but we’ll put it in dark pencil – he’s got a good chance for his next start to be for the Padres big-league club,”
Shildt said, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. King has not pitched in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB since May 18, when he faced the Seattle Mariners.
Strengthening the Padres Rotation Ahead of Playoffs
The Padres have bolstered their pitching staff significantly at the trade deadline, acquiring left-handers JP Sears from the Athletics and Nestor Cortes from the Milwaukee Brewers without trading away key starter Dylan Cease. King’s return adds further depth and strength to an already improved rotation. San Diego currently trails the Los Angeles Dodgers by three games for first place in the NL West but holds a three-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the last NL Wild Card slot.
Michael King’s Impact and Performance Before Injury
King earned his first All-MLB selection during the previous season and played a key role in nearly eliminating the Dodgers in the National League Division Series. He achieved career highs in strikeouts (201) and wins (13), ranking fifth and seventh in the National League, respectively. Before his injury in 2025, King was posting some of his best numbers with a 2.59 ERA through 10 starts, striking out 48 batters while allowing only 10 earned runs in 42.1 innings over his last seven outings. His performance showed clear signs of progress and consistency.
Looking Ahead: What King’s Return Means for the Padres
As King reenters the Padres’ rotation alongside recent additions JP Sears and Nestor Cortes, the team’s pitching staff gains valuable experience and depth during this crucial stretch of the season. With just two months remaining before the postseason, King’s presence could prove pivotal in solidifying San Diego’s push towards a deep playoff run. The combination of a fortified rotation and King’s comeback offers hope for both the team and its fans as the race for the NL West and Wild Card positions intensifies.