Michael King of the San Diego Padres landed on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation after a push to ramp back from a thoracic nerve injury. An MRI showed no structural damage, and the Padres plan a cautious return with the minimum IL stint, targeting Seattle as the likely comeback site. The move is about preserving health for the final two-plus months and a possible postseason run, not a long-term setback. King’s lone start since his return saw him throw 57 pitches over two innings, allowing two hits, two walks and two earned runs with one strikeout.

King has been productive when healthy, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 11 starts and 57.2 innings with 57 strikeouts. That baseline makes him a high-upside fantasy depth piece if he returns fully healthy and is handled conservatively. The Padres’ priority is health and a measured ramp, so investors should temper expectations for immediate workload but remain hopeful for late-season contribution and possible postseason relevance.

Manager Mike Shildt and San Diego are navigating a tight roster path as they push toward a playoff push, with the knee issue offering a prudent reason to protect King’s health while the rotation stabilizes. The upcoming slate against the Dodgers and a return trip to Seattle will shape King’s late-season ceiling and the Padres’ rotation plans for October, making his status a key watch for fantasy managers in the final months.