The San Diego Padres placed standout right-hander Michael King on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to left knee inflammation.

King, 30, was slated to start Friday night’s showdown against the host Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres lead the Dodgers by one game in the National League West race.

San Diego recalled right-hander Randy Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.

The Padres didn’t immediately announce a new starter for Friday’s game.

King (4-2, 2.81) just returned from an injury that sidelined him for nearly three months. He gave up two runs and four hits in two-plus innings against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

King’s previous appearance for San Diego was May 18. King 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, the club’s Opening Day starter, made 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.

Vasquez, 26, is 3-5 with a 3.93 ERA in 22 starts for the Padres this season.

–Field Level Media