Padres' Michael King Faces Season-Long Injury Absence Amid Wild Card Race

San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King has been sidelined due to a right shoulder inflammation and a nerve issue since May 2025, impacting their rotation amid other injuries to pitchers Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Ryan Bergert. King, who was acquired in December 2023 and made a significant impact with a 2.59 ERA and 64 strikeouts before his injury, is showing promising signs of recovery and has begun progressing in his throwing, although he is unlikely to return before late July or August. Despite the positive recovery updates and his strong performance prior to injury, there remains uncertainty about King's ability to return this season and whether the Padres will retain him beyond 2025, as his injury might reduce his free agency appeal. The Padres are hopeful to keep King long-term, especially as other key pitchers face contract expirations, but current projections place his chances of staying in San Diego at less than 50 percent. King's gradual recovery marks a hopeful development for the Padres as they contend for a postseason spot while managing multiple injuries in their pitching staff.