Padres right-hander Michael King is slated to return from the 60-day injured list when San Diego hosts the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night, the team said.
King, 30, was placed on the 15-day IL on May 25 due to a lack of strength in his pitching shoulder. He was later diagnosed with a thoracic nerve issue and eventually transferred to the 60-day list.
King pitched 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start Monday, allowing six runs, four hits (two homers), one walk and one hit batter. He struck out five in a 61-pitch effort for Triple-A El Paso.
King, the club’s Opening Day starter, was 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 10 starts before the injury. He last pitched for San Diego on May 18.
The Padres acquired King from the New York Yankees following the 2023 season as part of the package in which Juan Soto went to the Bronx.
King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA in 30 starts and one relief appearance last season. He was 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in the postseason, including striking out 12 in seven shutout innings in a win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League wild-card series.
A spot in the San Diego starting rotation is open after the team optioned left-hander JP Sears to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday. Sears had a rough team debut on Tuesday, allowing five runs and 10 hits over five innings in a 6-2 loss to the Arizona Diamoindbacks.