Padres' King returns to IL with knee inflammation after 1 start

The San Diego Padres placed starting pitcher Michael King on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation, the team announced Thursday.

In a corresponding move, the Padres recalled right-hander Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso.

King's latest injury comes just two days after he returned from a nearly three-month-long IL stint due to shoulder inflammation. The 30-year-old started Saturday against the Boston Red Sox but lasted just two-plus innings, allowing two runs on four hits with one strikeout on 57 pitches.

San Diego had listed King as its scheduled starter for Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers before placing him on the IL. The team has yet to announce a new starter for Friday. Vásquez could be a candidate, as his most recent Triple-A start was a 68-pitch outing Sunday, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic.

King owns a 2.81 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and one shutout over his 11 starts this season.

The Padres head into this weekend's critical series at Dodger Stadium sitting first in the NL West, one game above their NL West rivals.