Musgrove's playoff status iffy after elbow tightness

SAN DIEGO -- If the Padres are going to beat the rival Dodgers in the National League Division Series for the second time in three years, they might have to do it without their most dominant starting pitcher over the past two months.

Right-hander Joe Musgrove exited the Padres’ Wild Card-clinching victory over the Braves at Petco Park in the top of the fourth inning because of right elbow tightness. He is set to undergo further tests on Thursday. But after Musgrove spent two prior stints on the injured list this season with elbow trouble, it’s possible his season might be over.

“I’m frustrated, I don’t know what the future looks like for me right now,” said Musgrove, who had posted a 2.15 ERA in nine starts after coming off the injured list in early August. “But I know I’m going to give it every chance I have, and I’ll do whatever I’ve got to do to get back in there at some point.”

The Padres are moving onto the NLDS after their two-game sweep of the Braves in the Wild Card Series. Musgrove started the finale -- a 5-4 win -- but amid the celebrations afterward, it was unclear whether he would be able to pitch again this year.

Musgrove began the night looking like his usual self, though he later admitted he wasn’t feeling great from the start. He worked 3 2/3 innings of one-hit, one-run ball against Atlanta. But he threw two curveballs to Braves first baseman Matt Olson that registered as the two slowest curveballs he’s ever thrown, as tracked by Statcast.

“From the start it didn’t feel great,” Musgrove said. “I was capable of making pitches and felt all right. But going out for that fourth inning, nothing felt right.”

Catcher Kyle Higashioka was the first to notice. He called time after catching curveballs at 75.2 mph and 74.9 mph from Musgrove -- a pitch that usually sits in the low 80s. He met with Musgrove on the mound and was promptly joined by manager Mike Shildt and team trainer Ben Fraser.

“That was probably best for me,” said Musgrove. “I’m not the type to pull myself out of games. But he knew I didn’t feel great, and I think he noticed a change in the stuff.”

That’s precisely what happened.

“His stuff started to deteriorate a little bit, and I could just see it in his face,” Higashioka said. “I knew he was struggling.”

The Padres’ rotation has taken a few hits this season. Musgrove missed about three months with elbow inflammation related to a bone spur. Yu Darvish missed three months, as well, because of injury and personal reasons. But they entered the postseason in relatively good shape. Darvish was left out of the Wild Card Series rotation, and Martín Pérez was left off the roster entirely. Both might be called upon against L.A.

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“I’m sure Darvish and Martín will be right in the mix,” Musgrove said. “Next man up kind of mentality.”

The Padres might not need a starter until NLDS Game 4. Dylan Cease, who was lined up to pitch Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, would presumably start the opener. Darvish and Michael King are expected to start Games 2 and 3 in some order.

In the event of a Game 4, the Padres would have a decision to make. Pérez posted a 4.53 ERA this year, though he notched a 3.46 mark after arriving from Pittsburgh at the Trade Deadline. San Diego also boasts one of the sport’s top bullpens and could mix and match for nine innings. It’s October; anything is possible.

“Listen, pitching is going to win this time of year,” Shildt said. “Clearly we hope to get Joe back. We'll evaluate that. But we've got pitching depth.”

Earlier in the day, Shildt had spoken of Musgrove’s impact as a teammate even when the pitcher was injured earlier in the season. Then came the newest -- cruelest? -- twist in Musgrove’s stop-and-start season.

A native San Diegan, who is perhaps as beloved as any Padre, Musgrove now might be sidelined as his hometown team chases its first World Series.

“Hopefully, Joe’s OK,” Higashioka said. “If not, then somebody’s going to have to step up. ... Joe is irreplaceable. But this is the time of the year where the only thing that matters is winning. We’ve got to do what we can with the players that we have.”