Michael King News Comes at Unfortunate Time for Padres

Michael King News Comes at Unfortunate Time for Padres originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The San Diego Padres have taken over first place in the NL West, clinging to a one-game lead entering a crucial divisional series against the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, with the winner claiming control of the division.

The Padres have won five games in a row and recently got frontline starter Michael King back from the injured list after a three-month absence with a right shoulder nerve injury.

The 30-year-old right-hander struggled in his first start back against the Boston Red Sox, allowing two runs through two innings pitched. But King’s overall numbers as a Padre since being acquired in the Juan Soto blockbuster with the New York Yankees have been impressive.

Over 42 appearances for San Diego, King owns a 17–11 record with a 2.92 ERA and earned a seventh-place finish in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2024.

Padres Lose Michael King Ahead of NL West Showdown With Dodgers

Unfortunately, King was placed on the injured list on Thursday with Randy Vásquez recalled from Triple-A to start Friday’s series opener against the Dodgers after making just one start.

The team announced the news on X: “We have placed RHP Michael King on the 15-day IL (retro to 8/11) with left knee inflammation and recalled RHP Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso.”

We have placed RHP Michael King on the 15-day IL (retro to 8/11) with left knee inflammation and recalled RHP Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso.

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 14, 2025

King’s Absence Leaves Padres Rotation Thin

This comes at an unfortunate time for San Diego, who were just about to be fully healthy as they gear up for back-to-back postseason trips. In a five-game series, the rotation looks especially thin without King.

After Nick Pivetta, Yu Darvish, and Dylan Cease (assuming all three arms remain fully healthy into October), the Padres have a couple of options but none that are especially trustworthy in a playoff game.

Nestor Cortes could be a possibility to make a spot start, but he’s only made four starts this year, pitching to a 5.71 ERA. Vásquez could also be an option, but the team’s confidence in him appears low as he hasn’t earned a true spot in the rotation.

It’s also disappointing for King, who is likely to decline his $15 million mutual option and enter free agency at the season’s end.

Injuries have plagued his seven-year career, and if 2024 ends up being his lone healthy season as a starting pitcher, teams may be hesitant to offer a long-term lucrative contract.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.