Padres Hit with Injury Bug as Darvish and Musgrove Land on IL

The San Diego Padres have been dealt a significant blow with the placement of co-aces Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove on the 15-day injured list (IL). Darvish, the 37-year-old veteran, is nursing a strained left groin, while Musgrove is experiencing triceps and elbow discomfort. The injuries have forced the Padres to recall right-handers Randy Vázquez and Logan Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso.

The San Diego Padres find themselves in a precarious position after placing their two top starting pitchers, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove, on the 15-day injured list (IL). Darvish, the 37-year-old right-hander, is sidelined with a strained left groin, while Musgrove is experiencing triceps and elbow discomfort.

Darvish's injury stems from his outing on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins, where he left the game after just three innings. Musgrove, who was scheduled to start on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, was scratched from the lineup hours before the game due to the recurrence of the elbow injury that kept him on the IL earlier this season.

The Padres have already made roster moves to address the absences of Darvish and Musgrove. Right-hander Randy Vázquez has been recalled from Triple-A El Paso to start in Musgrove's place on Saturday. Logan Gillaspie, another right-hander, has also been called up to join the bullpen.

Darvish's IL placement is retroactive to Thursday, while Musgrove's is effective Wednesday. Both pitchers are expected to miss multiple starts, leaving the Padres without two of their most reliable arms.

Darvish, in particular, has been a key cog in the Padres' rotation this season. The veteran Japanese hurler has posted a 4-3 record with a 4.15 ERA in nine starts. His experience and leadership will be sorely missed in the Padres' pitching staff.

Musgrove, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries this season but has still managed to make five starts. The 29-year-old right-hander has a 3-4 record with a 5.37 ERA. His return to the IL is a setback for the Padres, who were hoping to have their top two starters healthy and firing on all cylinders.

The Padres are currently 30-31 on the season and sit in third place in the NL West. They have been plagued by injuries throughout the year, with key players such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Blake Snell, and Manny Machado all missing significant time.

The latest injuries to Darvish and Musgrove only add to the Padres' woes. The team will need to find a way to navigate the next few weeks without its two top starters if they are to stay in contention in the NL West.