In an unexpected twist that shocked absolutely no one, San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove decided his arm was no longer interested in participating in the National League wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves. In a stunning display of self-awareness, Musgrove called it quits after a mere 3 2/3 innings, citing “elbow discomfort” as the reason for his sudden departure. Meanwhile, Padres fans were left wondering if they had mistakenly tuned into a highly-rated soap opera rather than a postseason baseball game. As Musgrove exited with an impressive lead of 5-1, viewers could almost hear the collective sigh of disappointment echoing through Petco Park, drowning out the local mariachi band. His departure came right after delivering a perfectly timed curveball to Braves slugger Matt Olson, which suddenly seemed to weigh heavier than the hopes and dreams of a San Diego franchise that hasn’t sniffed a championship since their last pizza party—whenever that was. ESPN, always on top of the drama, reported that Musgrove’s last pitch followed an intense internal monologue: “How can I crank up the suspense for my fans? An elbow injury? Or should I just go for a dramatic home run? Tough call!” Ultimately, he chose the path so familiar to sports fans everywhere—injury over endurance. Fans have since taken to social media, posting heartfelt tributes to Musgrove's arm, which they believe has thrown more emotional curveballs than actual baseballs this postseason. There’s even a petition circulating online calling for his elbow to receive its own endorsement deal, with proposals for merchandise featuring phrases like “Out of Service” or “I’m Not Built for This” — both of which resonate deeply in the hearts of every long-suffering Padres supporter. “To be fair,” one die-hard fan stated while holding a foam finger and cradling a nacho plate, “Joe's arm was basically doing the only sane thing—it saw the playoff pressure and just said, ‘Nah, I’m good.’” As the game trudged on without Musgrove, the Padres attempted to maintain their lead with a mix of desperation and determination, but their efforts felt eerily reminiscent of a high school musical. The drama intensified. Backup pitchers, presumably roped in from the local Little League, took to the mound, attempting to salvage a game once held secure by Musgrove’s resilient—yet apparently overly ambitious—elbow. As the season creeps closer to conclusion with a ‘mildly entertaining’ performance now overshadowed by fears of additional injuries, fans contemplate their options. Will they buy more foam fingers for next season in hopes of better luck? Or perhaps invest in elbow braces for pitchers—a new trend they hope to kickstart to ensure the wellness of their favorite athletes? In the end, Padres fans learned an important lesson that night: In baseball, as in life, the best-laid plans can be disrupted by the unpredictable whim of an elbow.