The San Diego Padres may soon receive a much-needed boost to their pitching rotation with the expected return of starter Michael King. The right-hander, sidelined since May due to a shoulder injury, is reportedly close to making his return to the big league mound. According to manager Mike Shildt, King’s next start is likely to come at the major league level, depending on how the final evaluation goes. While not officially confirmed, Shildt described it as being written in “dark pencil,” strongly suggesting the team is preparing for his return.
King’s recent rehab outing wasn’t flawless; he gave up six earned runs over just 3.1 innings, but also managed to strike out five batters, showing flashes of his usual command and velocity. The Padres appear confident that the outing was more about regaining rhythm than results. With his return, the team would be adding a key piece back into their rotation at a critical point in the season.
King was the centrepiece of the high-profile trade that sent Juan Soto to the New York Yankees last December, and he quickly validated that value. Last season, he emerged as a legitimate ace, finishing with a 13-9 record, a 2.95 ERA, and 201 strikeouts. Before his injury this year, King had picked up where he left off, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.59 ERA and 64 strikeouts. His ability to dominate opposing lineups and pitch deep into games gives the Padres a clear advantage on the mound.
Currently sitting at 62-51 and just three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, the Padres are in a heated battle for the division crown. They are also very much alive in the National League Wild Card race. Reinserting King into the rotation could serve as a turning point for San Diego, especially with playoff positioning on the line.
If King returns to form, his presence could elevate the entire pitching staff, relieve pressure from the bullpen, and provide the consistency the Padres need during this stretch run. As they push toward a potential postseason berth and chase their first World Series title, Michael King’s comeback could not be more perfectly timed.