NL Ace Scheduled To Return From Injury Against Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox will have the unfortunate timing of welcoming back a star pitcher this weekend.

After winning five of six games at home, the Red Sox travel west to face the San Diego Padres. Along with facing former Boston starter Nick Pivetta and rumored deadline trade target Dylan Cease, they’ll see another front-line pitcher at Petco Park.

Michael King is scheduled to return from the injured list to start Saturday’s game for San Diego, per The Athletic’s Dennis Lin.

The Red Sox have plenty of familiarity with King, who spent his first five seasons with the New York Yankees. He moved from the bullpen to the rotation near the end of the 2023 season, but the Yankees traded him to the Padres that offseason in a package for Juan Soto.

King has proven a quick study as a starter. The right-hander registered a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts last season and a 2.59 ERA in 10 starts to open the 2025 campaign.

The 30-year-old might have been on the path toward earning his first All-Star invite before he went on IL with shoulder inflammation on May 25. He last pitched for the Padres on May 18.

Saturday’s return is a bit quicker than anticipated, as King has made just one rehab appearance. The former 12th-round pick allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings for Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

As a result, King might return to a limited pitch count. The Padres could lean heavily on a loaded bullpen that acquired Mason Miller from the Athletics last Thursday.

King will pitch against Lucas Giolito, with Walker Buehler scheduled to start Friday’s game against Pivetta.