One day before he was set to pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a battle for first place in the National League West, one of the San Diego Padres’ best starters was placed on the 15-day injured list.
Michael King, who’s 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA in his second season in San Diego, was sidelined with left knee inflammation. Right-hander Randy Vasquez was recalled from Triple-A El Paso and figures to take King’s spot in the starting rotation.
More news: Former Dodgers All-Star Announces Immediate Retirement From Baseball
Vasquez, 26, is 3-5 with a 3.93 ERA in 22 starts this season. He’s faced the Dodgers twice in his career — both starts coming earlier this season — and allowed four runs across 9.2 innings in a pair of no-decisions.
The Padres surrendered sole possession of first place in the National League West to the Dodgers on April 26. They didn’t get it back until Thursday. Their five-game winning streak, combined with the Angels sweeping the Dodgers in Anaheim, gave San Diego a one-game lead in the division.
Friday, the Padres and Dodgers will renew their rivalry in the first of three games at Dodger Stadium.
More news: Dodgers Make Trade, Acquire Familiar Pitcher From Twins
The Dodgers (68-53) have won five of the seven head-to-head games against the Padres (69-52) this season. San Diego hasn’t won the National League West since 2006.
Last year, the Dodgers eliminated the Padres in a five-game NL Division Series en route to the World Series championship. In 2022, the roles were reversed, as the Padres upset the Dodgers in the first playoff round en route to the NL Championship Series.
More news: Dylan Cease Blockbuster Trade Never Materializes, Padres Hold On To Ace
Against this backdrop, San Diego was eager to give the ball to King. The right-hander returned from a shoulder injury that cost him nearly three months. He was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of last year’s NLDS against the Dodgers.
The Padres signed King to a one-year, $7.75 million contract in January with a mutual option for 2026.
More news: Dodgers’ 2024 World Series Champion Reveals Comeback Plans
It’s unclear if Vasquez will start Friday at Dodger Stadium, enter the game in relief of an opener, or pitch another game in the series. His last start at Triple-A El Paso was a three-inning outing Sunday in which he allowed five runs in three innings in a loss to the Oklahoma City Comets — coincidentially against the Dodgers’ top farm team.
Clayton Kershaw is slated to start Friday for the Dodgers.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
The post Dodgers Catch Huge Break as Padres Place $8 Million Pitcher on Injured List appeared first on Newsweek.
