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Nick Pivetta delivers a pitch for the San Diego Padres.

Padres’ Injury Roundup: Uncertainty Abounds on Return Dates for the Friars

The San Diego Padres have struggled with injuries this season. It’s taken a prime starting rotation into one that has been incredibly inconsistent, and hurt an offense that can’t afford any more losses. The Friars have gotten a ton of help from players stepping up like Jase Bowen and Samad Taylor. Taylor has been a spark plug for San Diego so far and has eased worries about Ramón Laureano’s season-ending hip surgery. Which Padres remain on the injured list, and how long will they be out for?

Padres’ Injury Roundup

Long-Term Members: the 60-Day IL

OF Ramón Laureano

The left fielder had a great start to the year before falling off in a major way. The aforementioned hip surgery was for a diagnosis Laureano received a few seasons ago. He tore his labrum back in 2021 but the problem worsened during the first few months of 2026. He had managed to play through it until now, with the pain becoming unbearable. It seems possible, but unlikely, that Laureano rejoins the team this season. If he did, it would only be in late September or a deep playoff run.

RHP Joe Musgrove

Musgrove had figured to be part of a 1-2-3 punch including Nick Pivetta and Michael King. That trio was viewed as one of the most potent in the league, but the veteran righty struggled after his first Spring Training outing and hasn’t pitched since then. Musgrove started playing catch again in late May, but little other news has come out since then about his expected return date. When Pivetta went on the IL, the two were tied together as possibly returning after the All-Star break. However, how effective Musgrove can be once he returns remains to be seen.

RHP Nick Pivetta

As stated, Pivetta is expected to return sometime after the All-Star break. He had a good start to 2026 with the Friars after an incredible 2025 season. Pivetta looked worse than his ’25 self, but had started to rebound before exiting a perfect game early in April. An MRI revealed a flexor strain in the righty’s throwing arm that will sideline him until later this year. Similar to Musgrove, Pivetta began playing catch in late May but has started throwing from 90 feet with some intensity, as of June 10.

Where Have You Been?

C Luis Campusano

The longtime minor-league star had finally been breaking out at the big-league level before Campusano was sent to the injured list with a toe fracture. He’s expected to return in late June after he was placed on the 10-day IL on May 7 and there’s been little news since then on his condition. Campusano is continuing his recovery in Arizona, but has yet to be scheduled for a rehab assignment.

2B Jake Cronenworth

Another strange case, Cronenworth was put on the IL after experiencing concussion symptoms in early May. He was hit on the chin by a pitch during the Padres game against the Los Angeles Angels on April 18. Cronenworth seemed fine, but was placed on the injured list days later and has yet to return. He’s resumed light baseball activity in Arizona and is reportedly ramping up.

RHP Germán Márquez

Márquez rounds out the trio of lengthier-than-normal IL stints and is expected to return to the club soon. It’s possible he supplants Griffin Canning in his next start, who has struggled lately. The Padres have yet to announce the starting pitcher for Canning’s next scheduled start. Márquez began a minor league rehab stint on June 2 and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Triple-A.

Be Back Soon

INF Miguel Andujar

The de facto designated hitter for the Padres had a stretch of incredible success before falling off a bit lately. It seems a bit like a phantom IL stint, with manager Craig Stammen citing a tender hamstring as the reason for Andujar’s move. The club seems to hope that some time off will return the slugger to his previous successful form. He’s expected to return on June 21.

Miguel Andujar rounds the bases after homering for the Padres.
Feb 23, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Miguel Andujar (41) rounds the bases after a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

RHP Jeremiah Estrada

The team has been optimistic that Estrada’s absence won’t be lengthy, but it is the second IL stint for the right-hander in just under three months of the season. Thankfully, the Padres’ vaunted bullpen has incredible depth, and the absence of Estrada hasn’t hurt the club. He experienced knee soreness in late May that worsened until Estrada had to be placed on the IL. It was diagnosed as right knee inflammation. He’s expected to return before the end of the month.

C Freddy Fermin

Freddy Fermin was having one of the most productive weeks of his career before being sent to the injured list. He homered in three straight games (and almost had a fourth), rejuvenating what had been an otherwise subpar year. During the Padres’ recent series against Baltimore, Fermin was hit by a warmup pitch from reliever Yuki Matsui prior to the start of the Orioles’ sixth inning. His return date is uncertain, so San Diego will rely on Rodolfo Durán to take on primary catching duties until then.

Main Photo: Charles LeClaire- Imagn Images

About Lincoln Zdunich

Lincoln Zdunich is a sportswriter, covering MLB news and analysis. Zdunich has written for publications such as Gaslamp Ball and Last Word on Sports. He is currently getting his Bachelor's degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and resides in San Diego, CA.