Kershaw's looming retirement casts a hush over Dodger Stadium as rivals like Musgrove honor him with jersey requests and public praise.

The lefty remains effective, leaning on a slower fastball, a sharper slider, and occasional eephus, while Dodgers flood the rotation with Yamamoto, Snell, Ohtani, Glasnow, and a trio of young arms. His fate in October will hinge on how the team trusts him in high leverage moments.

Peers across the league, from Webb to Judge to Votto, keep chasing his jersey as a symbol of a career defined by resilience and leadership.

Padres drop a close one to Reds as the bullpen yields two late runs, negating a stellar start from Nick Pivetta.

Pivetta's form boosts fantasy cases; Michael King’s health is a key swing factor for the rotation.

Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. pace the lineup, while Yu Darvish anchors the staff and could push for DFS value.

Jason Adam's status looms large as the Padres seek bullpen stability for a late-season run.

The San Diego Padres are currently navigating uncertainties within their starting rotation. While Dylan Cease's recent struggles and Michael King's injury add to their challenges, the return of Yu Darvish offers a glimmer of hope. Notably, Joe Musgrove has provided an encouraging update after his latest bullpen session, stating that it ‘went really well’ and that he is ‘feeling great.’ Recovering from Tommy John surgery, Musgrove's gradual ramp-up suggests promising strides towards a comeback.

Musgrove's role in a potential postseason run is significant, as he may transition to a bullpen position if the Padres qualify. Although he has demonstrated a history of postseason success with a 2.82 ERA in previous playoff appearances, the team must approach his return cautiously to avoid future setbacks. Given his substantial five-year, $100 million contract, Musgrove's long-term health is paramount for the Padres’ aspirations. With the postseason approaching, having a healthy Musgrove could prove pivotal for the Padres’ chances.

The 2025 season for the San Diego Padres mirrors the previous year, marred by injuries to key pitchers. Michael King is facing a potential season-ending shoulder issue, and Joe Musgrove has already undergone Tommy John surgery. Dylan Cease's performance has been lackluster, while Yu Darvish is just making his season debut. The bullpen, after the departure of Josh Hader, has struggled to maintain effectiveness. A potential solution to stabilize their rotation could be Andrew Heaney from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Heaney isn't the marquee name like Darvish or Blake Snell but offers durability and consistent left-handed pitching. He could fit into the Padres' budget while adding depth to their rotation, especially following his contributions during the Texas Rangers' 2023 World Series run. Currently, Heaney has a 4-7 record in 2025 with 71 strikeouts over 93 innings, though limited run support has hindered his effectiveness.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have significantly bolstered their chances for the upcoming MLB season by infusing their roster with key players like Blake Snell and Michael Conforto, while also retaining talent like Blake Treinen and Teoscar Hernández. On the contrary, the San Diego Padres have struggled to make impactful moves, losing out on Roki Sasaki, which could have solidified their pitching rotation for a fraction of the cost.

Despite this, Padres' pitcher Michael King remains optimistic, believing that had they defeated the Dodgers in last year’s postseason, they could have claimed the World Series title. With the loss of key players like Kyle Higashioka and Ha-Seong Kim, the Padres are still seeking trades to manage payroll, leaving their season prospects uncertain.