Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park Oct. 21, 2022, in Philadelphia. (Elsa/Getty Images)
"It is tough to forecast when you're talking about a broken toe," he said Tuesday. "It will be about how it heals and certainly if it is a pain tolerance thing, Joe would be one of those guys who would be sooner than later."
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Musgrove, 30, went 10-7 with a 2.93 ERA last season and is starting a $100 million, five-year contract this season. The more time he’s sidelined, the longer it will take for him to get back on track, Melvin cautioned.
Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres throws a bullpen session at the Peoria Sports Complex Feb. 15, 2023, in Peoria, Ariz. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
"He is not starting over. But the longer you go, the more it gets closer to starting over," Melvin said. "Joe is a guy who keeps himself in really good shape."
Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park Oct. 21, 2022, in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Padres open their season March 30 against Colorado. Yu Darvish and Nick Martinez will be the likely options for a starter in Musgrove’s absence.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.