Michael King Injury Update: When Will SP Return?

Michael King has emerged as a top-tier starter in the National League. King’s 2025 season was interrupted, however, on May 25 when he woke up with a pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder. Padres fans and fantasy baseball owners are currently asking when King will be back and return to the San Diego rotation.

Below, we will dish out a timeline of potential return dates and look at the Padres' odds.

🚑 When will Michael King return for the Padres?

King was initially diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation but it was later revealed that a pinched nerve was causing the discomfort. This makes delivering a timeline on King’s return to the Padres rotation a little more difficult. Padres manager Mike Shildt said it could be anywhere from “days” to “weeks” for King’s return.

“We’ve learned that nothing structurally has taken place of any concern at all,” Shildt said. "Rotator cuff, the cap, anything with the shoulder is very stable and structurally very good, so that’s obviously great. There is nothing circulatory that’s concerning as far as thoracic, or anything like that. So that’s clearly good."

“Now we’ve been able to locate what the issue is, and it’s more nerve-related. We’re trying to get a handle on how to release that nerve a little bit. We’ve got some really smart people, including Michael, involved with the process that will get that going as soon as possible. How soon that is, is to the discretion of that nerve.”

The recovery time for a pinched nerve can be anywhere from two to three days to as long as six weeks. When it comes to pitchers and their shoulders, MLB teams usually opt for the long road and take their time to bring their hurlers back into the fold.

King has already been out 12 days, or nearly two weeks, with the injury. He is already eligible to return from the 15-day IL.

The Padres could very well opt to save King for the start of the second half of the season (i.e. after the July 15 MLB All-Star Game). Their first game out of the break is a July 18 game at Washington. That would be seven weeks and five days from May 25, which would definitely be excessive and on the longer side of recovery time.

🗓️ Here is a look at San Diego's schedule around the time of King's expected return.

• Thursday, July 10: Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres
• Friday, July 11: Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres
• Saturday, July 12: Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres
• Sunday, July 13: Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres
• Friday, July 18: San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals
• Saturday, July 19: San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals
• Sunday, July 20: San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals

⏳ How long will Michael King be out for?

King’s return date could be anywhere from mid-June to mid-July. It is likely that the Padres will have King pitch a rehab start or two before bringing him back, which will further delay his return to an MLB mound.

The good news is that King is already showing progress. He is playing light catch and his shoulder structure is stable.

“The one thing to know, Michael had a really good day today from all reports,” Shildt told FriarWire on June 4. “Today meaning less aches. More range of motion. So he’s progressing, albeit slowly."

💰 Padres betting

King opened the season with +2200 National League Cy Young odds, which was the ninth lowest on the odds board for the award. The injury and his time on the shelf have obviously impacted those odds, though King still remains on the board with a +6500 price.

Baseball bettors can wager on Cy Young odds as well as World Series odds right now at our best MLB betting sites. The Padres are very much in the hunt for MLB’s top prize as they currently have +2400 odds to win it all.

There are, as well, MLB game lines and player props available to bet on daily.