SAN DIEGO -- The Padres and Dodgers are readying for their regular-season finale with first place on the line, and Michael King is on the mound at Petco Park. Only it’s not the setting King envisioned.

The gates aren’t yet open. First pitch is hours away. King is pitching a morning simulated game. He’s getting there.

Over the past three months, King has pitched all of two big league innings. First, he missed time while recovering from a nerve injury that affected his right shoulder strength. Then, he was sidelined by a left knee injury that landed him back on the IL after just one start.

It’s been a frustrating summer for King. But there’s one way to make up for it all.

“What makes up for it,” King said, “is pitching well in October and pitching deep into October.”

He, and the Padre

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