The San Diego Padres announced on Tuesday that they have officially activated right-hander Michael King (knee) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-handed reliever Alek Jacob to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. King will make his return from the IL to face the Reds at Petco Park on Tuesday evening and will have much more risk than normal in starting fantasy lineups. The 30-year-old was San Diego's best pitcher to close out last season, but he's made only 11 starts in 2025 due to shoulder and knee injuries, including just one start since May 18. The Padres believe that four starts to close out the regular season for King will be enough for him to give them what they want if they make it to the postseason, but that doesn't mean he'll be very efficient in his first big-league start since Aug. 9. Tread carefully with King.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (knee) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list and start on Tuesday versus the visiting Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. It would give King four starts before a potential postseason appearance for the Friars, which the Padres think is sufficient ramp-up for King to give them what they need in October. While King will be extra risky in starting fantasy lineups on Tuesday in his first start back, he'll also be lined up for a two-start week with a second appearance coming against the last-place Colorado Rockies on Sunday at home. The 30-year-old has made just one start since late May after also missing extended time with a right-shoulder injury. King was SD's best pitcher to close out last year, but he'll be a wild card upon his return given his injury-plagued 2025 campaign.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (knee) is trending towards returning to the mound next week. On Thursday, King made a start in the Arizona complex league. He tossed five innings and appears to have pitched well enough that he's on the verge of returning to the big league mound. King reportedly pushed to pitch against the Colorado Rockies this week, but the Padres took the cautious approach instead. It's possible that King makes a start during the series against the Cincinnati Reds early next week. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (knee) threw a bullpen session at Petco Park on Monday. The team is now determining next steps for the 30-year-old, according to manager Mike Shildt. King has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 11 with inflammation in his left knee. He also missed two and a half months earlier in the season with shoulder troubles. The injuries have limited King to 11 starts and 57 2/3 innings, but he has stood out with a 2.81 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts against 19 walks. He's expected to return to the Padres' rotation in the near future as the team vies for a playoff berth.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (knee) threw four innings in a simulated game on Friday and is on the verge of returning to the team's rotation. The Padres could activate King from the 15-day injured list during their Sept. 1-3 series against the Baltimore Orioles. King has been on the shelf since Aug. 14 with left-knee inflammation - an injury he suffered in his first start back after he missed two and a half months with shoulder problems. The 30-year-old has been a difference-maker when healthy in 2025, having recorded a 2.81 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB in 57 2/3 innings. King could make a notable impact for the Padres, who are two games back of the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, and fantasy managers in the final month of the regular season.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (knee) will throw at least one more simulated game before being activated off the injured list, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. King threw 44 pitches in a three-inning sim game on August 23. At this time, it's unclear how the Padres plan to approach the Kings' rehab and whether he needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Padres' rotation. King has made just one big-league start since May 18, so it's likely that when he returns, he will be on a pitch count or a bit rusty. The start he made after his return from the shoulder injury, on August 9 against the Boston Red Sox, was the outing that caused the knee discomfort that landed him on the injured list shortly after. Fantasy managers should continue to stash King on their IL and hope for a return sometime next week to help them with their playoff run.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (knee) threw a three-inning, 44-pitch simulated game on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. King came out of the session unscathed, though it's unclear if he'll rejoin the Padres during the upcoming week or go on a rehab assignment. The 30-year-old landed on the 15-day injured list with left-knee inflammation on Aug. 11, continuing an injury-ravaged season. King missed two-plus months with shoulder troubles and lasted just two innings in his first start back on Aug. 9, a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox, before succumbing to another injury. The recovery this time has been "way more straightforward," according to King. Although he has only totaled 11 starts this season, King has made an impact. He's 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts against 19 walks over 57 2/3 innings.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (knee) landed on the 15-day injured list due to left knee inflammation on August 14. However, the move was retroactive to August 11, so the righty hurler is eligible to be activated this coming Tuesday. While the two bullpens this week are encouraging, King is also coming off a shoulder injury that caused him to miss over two months of the season, and he has not pitched in the majors consistently since May. The Padres may give him a few more days to make sure that when he does come back, he is sharp and ready to help the Padres hold onto their four and a half game lead in the NL Wild Card race. For the time being, JP Sears is in line to get at least one more start while King remains out of action.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (knee) was recently placed back on the injured list. King made only one start in his return from a shoulder injury before heading back to the shelf. The right-hander said that his left knee has been bothering him for a few weeks. That being said, it's probably best for King to get it taken care of before the postseason. He underwent an MRI that didn't reveal any structural damage. King is hopeful to get back in the rotation by late August. Fantasy managers will need to stash King on their IR spot until then.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (knee) has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 11. Well, this is frustrating, as King was only able to make one start in the rotation before heading back to the injured list. He was prviously out since May due to a right-shoulder injury. At least this time it's not an arm issue, so hopefully King won't be out longer than the two weeks. In a corresponding move, right-hander Randy Vasquez has been recalled to take the spot on the active roster. Vasquez figures to take King's spot in the rotation, so he'll probably draw the start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) will come off the 60-day injured list to start Saturday against the Boston Red Sox, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. It'll be the first appearance in the majors since May 18 for King, who has missed almost three months with shoulder inflammation. After fully breaking out as a starter last year, King carried it over into this season before suffering the injury. Across 10 starts, King has pitched to a 2.59 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP, 64 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 55 2/3 innings. The Padres are likely to ease him back in, though, as King threw just 61 pitches in his most recent rehab start on Aug. 3 at the Triple-A level.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (shoulder) may only end up making one rehab start and could have his next start be with the Padres, per manager Mike Shildt. King has been on the 60-day injured list since the end of May with right shoulder inflammation. He made his first rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A El Paso. However, Shildt said Monday, "I'm not going to put it in pen yet, but we'll put it in dark pencil that he's got a good chance to make his next start for the Padres." The 30-year-old had an outstanding 2024 season and was on his way to a solid 2025, going 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 28.4% strikeout rate in 10 starts and 55 2/3 innings pitched. While his rehab start wasn't great, fantasy managers may be inclined to put him right back into their lineups once they get confirmation of his return.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) didn't have the best minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A El Paso, as he surrendered six earned runs on four hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out five in 3 1/3 innings against Triple-A Round Rock. It wasn't a great outing for King, but it was also his first rehab start since he injured his shoulder way back on May 18. King's velocity was also down a bit while throwing 61 pitches in the outing. The 30-year-old will hope for better results his next time out on the farm, and after that (barring a setback), it's possible he'll be activated from the 60-day injured list to rejoin the big-league starting rotation. King was SD's best pitcher in the second half last year and should be picked up immediately if he's available on your league's waiver wire. In 10 starts before his injury, he had a 2.59 ERA and 64 K's in 55 2/3 innings.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) will make a minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A El Paso against Triple-A Round Rock, according to Annie Heilbrunn. King has been cleared to begin his rehab assignment after a successful 40-pitch simulated game on Tuesday. The 30-year-old will most likely require multiple rehab outings because of the fact that he hasn't pitched in a game since May 18. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, King could rejoin the Friars' starting rotation by the middle of August. King has been the Padres' best pitcher since last year, so getting him back healthy will be essential if they want to make a deep run in October. When he returns in August, he'll push either Randy Vazquez or the newly-acquired JP Sears out of the rotation. King shouldn't be floating around on any waiver wires out there.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) is reportedly in consideration for a rehab start this weekend, likely at the Triple-A level. The 30-year-old has been on the 60-day injured list since May 25 with a long thoracic nerve injury in his right shoulder. He is expected to return sometime in August. Before the injury, King was dominant, posting a 2.59 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 55 innings. His return would provide a significant boost to a Padres rotation looking to stay competitive in a tightly contested National League West race.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) is expected to throw three "innings" during a simulated game on Monday at Petco Park before the series opener against the New York Mets that he is treating as normal as possible in terms of a start day, according to Annie Heilbrunn. King is getting his arm stretched out after not pitching since May 18 due to a pinched thoracic nerve in his shoulder. The 30-year-old veteran is getting close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment, and barring any setbacks, he's expected to return to San Diego's starting rotation sometime in August. When he's fully healthy, King has been an ace for the Friars' pitching staff, so his return would be a big boost. Before going on the injured list, King had gone 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 64 strikeouts and 17 walks in 55 2/3 innings over his 10 starts.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Monday. This is good news as the right-hander has been sidelined since mid-May due to a nerve issue in his shoulder. The expectation is that King will go on a rehab assignment, assuming his simulated game goes well. Barring any setbacks, King should be able to get back in the rotation by the middle of August. In 10 starts this season, King holds a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 64/17 K/BB ratio in 55.2 innings of work.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (shoulder) completed his first full bullpen session in nearly two months, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The bullpen session was 25 pitches in length, in what was originally just supposed to be a "touch and feel" session, but King said he wanted to speed up the process. He last pitched on May 18 before going on the injured list with a nerve issue in his shoulder. There's been no official timeline for when the 30-year-old is aiming to return, but mid-August seems the most likely. The ace posted a 2.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 55 innings before the injury.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier in the week. However, does not change his timeline for return. King continues to make progress and is scheduled to have a bullpen session on Thursday after having thrown off flat ground a few times already. Once King passes this hurdle, he will likely go on a rehab assignment. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since May with a pinched thoracic nerve in his right shoulder. He owned a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts over 55 2/3 innings before landing on the injured list. King may not return until some time in August, but fantasy managers should continue to stash him in all formats.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) played catch Monday and is expected to stretch it out to 120 feet Tuesday. King is scheduled to throw off a mound for the first time Thursday, although the team is not officially calling it a bullpen session. The 30-year-old was placed on the 60-day injured list May 25 with a long thoracic nerve injury in his right shoulder. King made 10 starts before the injury in his second year with the Padres, posting a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings. He is expected to return between late August and early September.