The San Diego Padres are facing a big challenge right when the National League West competition is getting intense. Just a day after taking the lead in the division, the Friars got hit hard with the news that one of their best pitchers, Michael King, is out due to an injury. The timing is really unfortunate, especially just hours before they kick off an important three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Michael King Sidelined on IL for 15 Days Ahead of Dodgers Showdown
King, the righty who served as a ray of hope for the Padres’ rotation, has been added to the 15-day Injured List due to inflammation in his left knee.
This news hits at the worst time, just after the Padres took the top spot in the National League West, and right before a crucial three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
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
According to Derek Togerson of NBC San Diego, “The day after the Padres took over sole possession of 1st place in the National League West, and the day before they start a three-game series at Dodger Stadium, the Friars lost one of their best starting pitchers to injury.”
The timing is bad, acting as an early warning for the Padres as they head into this NL West battle. With just a narrow 1.0-game advantage over the Dodgers and 41 games left in the regular season, every game counts.
King not being around not only makes the rotation weaker but also sparks doubts about the team’s depth and toughness in this critical phase.
Theo DeRosa from MLB.com shared a similar thought in his report, saying, “Right-hander Michael King is going back on the injured list after just one start, a major blow to the Padres’ rotation ahead of perhaps San Diego’s biggest series of the season.”
King’s injury troubles are adding to the Padres’ frustration. The pitcher, who was the Opening Day starter for the team earlier this season, has already missed three months because of a thoracic nerve issue affecting his right shoulder.
Last Sunday, he made his long-awaited return to the mound against the Boston Red Sox, pitching two innings, allowing four hits and two runs, and striking out one batter on 57 pitches. Sadly, it seems that the outing will be his last for a few weeks.
Now, he’s dealing with inflammation in his left knee, the one he lands on. Togerson noted, “The injury is in his landing leg, which is not uncommon for pitchers. The team is hopeful he’ll be able to pitch again as soon as he’s eligible.”
We don’t know exactly when the right-hander’s knee trouble began, but it’s obviously severe enough to sideline him for at least two starts for a Padres team that’s gaining momentum. They placed him on the IL retroactively to Monday, so King could be back after the minimum 15 days, but the Padres are playing it safe with their ace.
King has had an amazing season when he’s been healthy, showing off a 2.81 ERA and racking up 65 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings across 11 starts. His thoracic nerve issue kept him out from May 18 until he came back on August 9, and now this knee inflammation could prolong his absence.
Padres has been surging in August, posting a 9-3 record and riding a five-game winning streak into this series, as DeRosa highlighted in his MLB.com report, “San Diego is 9-3 in August, is currently on a five-game winning streak and holds a one-game lead over the Dodgers for first place in the National League West.” This momentum has propelled them to the top of the division for the first time in August since 2010.
In 2010, the Padres were leading the NL West late in the season but ended up collapsing, which let the San Francisco Giants take the title and ultimately win the World Series. Fans who are eager for a win see their last division victory in 2006 as a long time ago.
