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Padres add Joe Musgrove to Wild Card roster after two years without an MLB game

San Diego put pitcher Joe Musgrove on its NL Wild Card Series roster against the Cubs, though he hasn't pitched in the majors since October 2024. Coverage agrees on the facts but differs on detail and emphasis.

2 outlets · 0L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Fox News
Image: Newsweek

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

The San Diego Padres included right-hander Joe Musgrove on their roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs. He has not appeared in a major league game since the 2024 postseason. He had Tommy John surgery after that postseason and missed 2025.

Fox News, citing the Associated Press, says his recovery then went much slower than expected and he missed the entire 2026 regular season. Newsweek says he had a setback in spring and was shut down again. He made four rehab appearances in August. Newsweek says these were minor-league starts with a 4.60 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. Fox reports Musgrove said his postgame recoveries stayed difficult, and that he has thrown in instructional league games this month. Newsweek describes a minor setback during rehab but says he 'seems game ready'.

Fox says he was picked for the 11-man pitching staff over candidates including Randy Vasquez, Wandy Peralta, Casey Mize and Griffin Canning. Newsweek says the Padres have not said whether he will start or work in bulk relief. Fox also notes other roster surprises: outfielder Miguel Andújar, out since July 19 with a broken wrist, and 20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas.

Newsweek adds his Padres record, a 3.20 ERA over 98 games and a 2022 All-Star selection, and says the team went 43-23 after the All-Star break.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Player-focused piece on a surprise return, with stats and playoff outlook.
Emphasis
Rehab numbers, career record with the Padres, team form and a possible NLDS against Milwaukee.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the other pitchers passed over or the difficult postgame recoveries.
Charged language
“Surprise Playoff Appearance”“incredibly hot run of form”
For example
“If Musgrove can operate at the same level for the Padres during the postseason, he will be a key player for the team over the course of the next month.” — Newsweek

Right1 outlet

Framing
Short wire report (AP) on a roster surprise despite a long absence.
Emphasis
The roster decision, the pitchers passed over and other surprise inclusions such as Andújar and Salas.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives no rehab statistics and does not say how he might be used.
Charged language
“surprise addition”“apparently liked what they saw”
For example
“Musgrove has been throwing in instructional league games this month, and the Padres apparently liked what they saw.” — Fox News