The San Diego Padres activated Michael King from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday night’s game vs. Cincinnati, the team announced on X. In a corresponding move, right-hander Alex Jacob was optioned to Triple-A El Paso.
The Padres’ ace was placed on the IL due to left knee pain that he experienced during his first start back from the 60-day IL (right shoulder) on Aug. 9. He pitched just two innings before exiting the game.
King is scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Reds in front of a home crowd at Petco Park. It will mark his 12th start of the season.
We have activated RHP Michael King from the 15-Day IL and optioned RHP Alek Jacob to Triple-A El Paso.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 9, 2025
King returns from IL
King has been phenomenal when he’s been available this season, boasting a 2.81 ERA over 11 starts.
He served primarily as a reliever for the New York Yankees from 2019 to 2023 but transitioned to the starting rotation once he was traded to San Diego before the 2024 season. King holds a 3.22 ERA over 60 career starts.
His talent is undeniable, but King’s struggled to stay healthy for most of the year. The 30-year-old righty was absent from May 22 to Aug. 9 due to right shoulder inflammation, and upon returning for a start vs. Boston, he experienced left knee pain and landed back on the IL a few days later on Aug. 14.
King returns once again tonight, and the Padres hope he looks sharp heading into the postseason. That’s because while San Diego’s bullpen leads MLB with a 3.09 ERA, its starting rotation ranks 17th (4.10). Padres' starters are also 21st in innings pitched.
As San Diego’s ace, King will be tasked with pitching deep into games this October to give the bullpen some much-needed rest.
But all of that hinges on his ability to stay healthy down the stretch.