Padres Rotation Boost
Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta returns from injury to boost wild-card push.
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Key Points
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Pivetta was the Padres’ Opening Day starter and had been one of the National League’s top pitchers in 2025, posting a 2.87 ERA over 31 starts and finishing sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
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Across the past two seasons, Pivetta has produced a 3.01 ERA in 197⅔ innings for San Diego, underscoring how important his return could be to the rotation.
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Pivetta’s contract included the injury-related opt-out provision because he suffered a similar elbow injury with the Boston Red Sox in 2024; the Padres’ ability to void the final two years is therefore tied to a clause specifically negotiated into his four-year, $55 million deal.
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His comeback was not completely smooth: during his first rehab outing of the year, Pivetta left with elbow tightness, and in the outing before his final start he allowed two home runs over three innings in A-ball.
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Manager Craig Stammen said Pivetta’s return was based on improved command and sufficient buildup, noting that his curveball had also improved in the final rehab appearance: “His last outing, seeing the fastball command that he had and the command of all his pitches -- his curveball got a little bit better.”
San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta is returning to the mound Monday against Washington after five months on the injured list with a right elbow flexor strain Reuters. The Opening Day starter, who posted a 2.87 ERA over 31 starts before his injury, looked sharp in his final rehab outing with seven strikeouts over 4⅓ scoreless innings. His comeback comes at a critical moment — the Padres sit just half a game behind Arizona for the final National League wild-card spot Freedom 96.9.
Pivetta will work under strict pitch limits, likely around five innings, while the Padres keep their five-man rotation intact Mix 92.9. His return could significantly strengthen San Diego's rotation amid injuries to other starters and the team's push for a playoff spot.
A Star Pitcher's Long Road Back
Pivetta was one of baseball's most reliable arms in 2025, finishing sixth in National League Cy Young Award voting Reuters. Over the past two seasons with San Diego, he has produced a 3.01 ERA across 197⅔ innings, making his return critical to the rotation's depth. His five-month absence left a major gap in the Padres' pitching plans.
The right-hander's elbow tightness has been a recurring concern. He left his first rehab outing early with tightness and allowed two home runs in three innings during an A-ball appearance Freedom 96.9. His latest outing showed marked improvement, though manager Craig Stammen emphasized caution: "His last outing, seeing the fastball command that he had and the command of all his pitches — his curveball got a little bit better."
Playoff Race Pressures Limit Rest and Recovery
The Padres are skipping a six-man rotation despite Pivetta's injury history, prioritizing immediate playoff positioning over extended recovery time Mix 92.9. San Diego sits just half a game behind Arizona for the final wild-card slot, leaving little room for conservative approaches. Randy Vásquez will provide multiple relief innings to supplement Pivetta's limited workload.
This aggressive timetable carries risk. If Pivetta's elbow flares up again or his command falters, the Padres will have no buffer in their rotation RadioUSA. The team is banking on his recent strong rehab showing holding up under game conditions.
A Contract Clause That Cuts Both Ways
Because Pivetta has spent more than 130 consecutive days on the injured list, San Diego can reportedly void the final two years and $32 million of his four-year, $55 million deal Reuters. The opt-out clause was specifically negotiated after Pivetta suffered a similar elbow injury with Boston in 2024, protecting the Padres from long-term injury risk.
Pivetta's performance down the stretch now affects both sides. Strong late-season outings could bolster his free-agency value, while renewed elbow problems would give San Diego justification to avoid the $32 million commitment 95KQDS. Both pitcher and team face high stakes in his comeback.
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