Padres reinstate star RHP Michael King to start vs. Red Sox

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The San Diego Padres activated standout right-hander Michael King from the 60-day injured list to start Saturday’s game against the visiting Boston Red Sox.

This will be King’s first outing for San Diego since May 18. He was placed on the 15-day IL on May 25 due to a lack of strength in his pitching shoulder. The 30-year-old was later diagnosed with a thoracic nerve issue and eventually transferred to the 60-day list.

King, who will be on a pitch count, told reporters on Friday that he’s fully recovered from the ailment.

“Definitely 100 percent,” King said. “I know I’ve said it for a little bit, but once I started getting function back, it was really just building up. Physically, I feel great. Just trying to be now as efficient as I possibly can with the pitch count I have.”

King pitched 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start Monday, allowing six runs, four hits (two homers), one walk and one hit batter for Triple-A El Paso. He struck out five in a 61-pitch effort.

King, the club’s Opening Day starter, was 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 10 starts before the injury. 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.

The Padres optioned right-hander Sean Reynolds to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. He was 0-1 with a 5.55 ERA in 18 appearances (one start).

Reynolds, 27, had massive problems during Friday night’s 10-2 loss to Boston. He gave up five runs and three hits while walking five in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

–Field Level Media