The San Diego Padres are losing two key arms to the injured list.

Joe Musgrove was scratched from his start against the Kansas City Royals as the team placed him on the 15-day IL due to triceps tendinitis, via Kevin Acee. It's the same injury that put Musgrove on the shelf at the beginning of May. The Padres called up Randy Vasquez to pitch in Musgrove's place. Darvish is also heading to the 15-day IL with a hamstring injury.

The injury isn't expected to be season-ending for Musgrove, per Acee. That's promising news for San Diego considering Musgrove is one of their best arms. However, the 24′ campaign has been a struggle for him.

In 1o starts, Musgrove owns a 3-4 record and 5.66 ERA, striking out 44 in 49.1 innings while issuing 15 walks. That's a far cry from his 3.05 ERA in 2023, although the 31-year-old only tossed 97.1 innings.

The fact that this injury is reoccurring is concerning in itself, though. Sure, it may not be season-ending, but it could keep Musgrove out for an extended period.

As for Darvish, he owns a 3.20 ERA and 4-3 record in 11 starts. The veteran has struck out 53 in 56.1 innings while walking 15. Last Wednesday, Darvish had to be removed from his start against the Miami Marlins due to hamstring tightness and now it will cost him a couple of weeks.

While Musgrove's ERA doesn't look great, he was actually a lot better across his last two appearances, compiling a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings of work. That came in outings against the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Yankees.

Mike Shildt gave an update on both injuries:

Padres dealing with a few injuries

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Although a couple of NL Wild Card rivals like the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks are dealing with injuries of their own, San Diego is now missing three important players. Darvish, Musgrove, and Xander Bogaerts, who has no timetable for return.

Regardless, the Padres are still in the playoff mix, holding the second Wild Card spot at the moment while sitting 5.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West.

Pitching hasn't been a strong suit for the ball club this year, compiling a 3.97 ERA as a staff. That ranks 16th in the Majors. Darvish's 3.20 ERA is the lowest among all of their starters. That being said, he and Musgrove must be healthy if this team is going to be a contender come postseason time. It's better they miss time now than in the second half when every ballgame counts.

This is what Shildt had to say about the Darvish injury when it happened. Via The San Diego Tribune:

“Wasn’t overly significant, but (Darvish) felt it,” Manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday. “… (The ball) was still coming out good, was pitching pretty well. But once he had the long inning in the third, it just made sense to go ahead and go to the bullpen.”

“We always listen to the player,” Shildt said. “And he said, ‘No, I feel fine.’ … But, again, they had the longer inning in the third, and it was time to go to the bullpen and get him some rest and see what we have.”

Hopefully, Musgrove and Darvish will be back sooner rather than later.