Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta exited today’s game against the Rockies in the fourth inning, and the Padres later announced that his departure was due to “right elbow stiffness.” Additional details about the situation are not yet known, but AJ Cassavell of MLB.com notes that Pivetta’s velocity was down on his final pitch and he appeared frustrated as he exited the game with manager Craig Stammen and a team trainer. After the game, Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune relayed comments from Stammen that indicated Pivetta may undergo imaging tomorrow depending on how he feels in the morning, but offered some optimism as he suggested that “there’s a world” where Pivetta makes his next start.
Cassavell notes that Pivetta previously missed a start during Spring Training last month due to what the Padres described at the time as “arm fatigue.” He wound up missing just that one start, and it’s unclear if that ailment has any connection to this current issue. Stammen’s update after the game appears to be fairly optimistic, but any amount of time missed by Pivetta would be a real blow to San Diego. Pivetta was the team’s top starter last year, as he pitched to a 2.87 ERA in 181 2/3 innings of work across 31 starts. That sort of production is never easy to replace, but it’s even more difficult for San Diego given that Dylan Cease left for Toronto in free agency while Joe Musgrove is not yet ready to return from his October 2024 Tommy John surgery.
If Pivetta does wind up missing time due to his ailing elbow, it seems likely that the Padres will turn to either Matt Waldron or Griffin Canning to fill the void. Both are presently on the injured list but have already begun rehab assignments and are looking fairly good as they do so. Waldron seems to be the further along of the two in terms of building up his pitch count and could be the first choice to join the rotation if Pivetta is placed on the shelf. Canning is on a guaranteed MLB deal and cannot be optioned to the minors, but Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune suggests that he may not be ready to return to action until next month. If a fifth starter is needed before either Waldron or Canning is ready, JP Sears is also available at Triple-A alongside non-roster veterans like Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie.
That’s a decent amount of depth and it will be much-needed if Pivetta misses significant time. The rest of the rotation has had promising moments but comes with question marks. Michael King has gotten solid results but hasn’t looked quite as sharp as he did before his shoulder injury last season. Randy Vasquez has looked nothing short of excellent despite being more of a back-of-the-rotation arm in the past, and Walker Buehler is offering some encouraging peripherals, but German Marquez has looked over-matched so far this year with a 5.54 ERA and 7.50 FIP. The right-hander could be pushed out of the Padres’ rotation by Waldron’s return, though that of course won’t happen if Pivetta misses time and Waldron is instead filling in for the staff’s ace.
welcome back Knuckles!
Now his recent… ummmmm… malady makes a lot more sense.
Gwynn – Two things worth noting that I’m surprised weren’t in the article.
1) After his 2nd start of the 2024 season, he went on the IL for a month with a right elbow flexor strain.
2) Pivetta’s $14M salary in 2027 turns into a club option if at any point through 2026 he has a specified injury or surgery related to the right elbow flexor strain and is on the IL for more than 130 consecutive days.
So this elbow issue is not a surprise, and the Padres are well covered in the event he does miss significant time. If he’s on the IL for more than 130 days he could end up being a free agent this offseason.
The Padres are “well covered” financially if this is a serious injury and Pivetta misses significant time on the IL. They are not “well covered” on the mound if Pivetta misses significant time.
“there’s a world” where Pivetta makes his next start.
aaand there’s a world where he doesnt throw a major league pitch until the 2nd half of 2027
and there’s a world where the 2nd half of the 2027 season is the first half of the 2027 season
And there’s a world where we play 162 games in 2027.
Astros, that is the most likely world.
And there’s a world where he comes back for his next start pitching left handed
and there’s a world where there is no other world except for world of Margaret Lopez
And I suppose everyone here knows who Margaret Lopez is but me.
Nah, just me
Brew is in a club of one with that reference
Is everyone so certain that there will be a world in 2027?
With our current admin in Washington that is less of a certainty than in the past.
Doesn’t sound fine.
Not good. Nick was not pleasant coming into the dugout…
Nick is one of those pitchers who alway looks like he’s either about to snap and break your neck or completely break down crying, every start, every inning. Must be exhausting for him and his mates. Of course we call this mental instability “intensity” and claim it a virtue somehow.
couldn’t agree more, many professional ball players seem to think that over the top exhibitions of intensity is something most fans admire.. in reality they just look like 10 year olds throwing a tantrum
I recall a post game interview with Kobe Bryant where a reporter asked him why he’s so intensely competitive during games. And he replied “do you prefer that I look as if I’m a spectator at a piano recital?”
I’d rather have competitors on my team
I said “over the top”.. Kobe Bryant was an intense LEGITIMATE Professional who didn’t throw tantrums and f bombs. There’s a huge difference don’t you think????
haha – fbombs from Kobe were a thing. But I’ve not seen Pivetta throw the tantrums you describe. I do see his competitive fire though, resembling that of KB.
And apparently, he’s a better teammate than KB was. In a recent interview Michael King specifically brought up Pivetta’s support to teammates and maturity in the clubhouse as a team leader as exemplary. Are you saying your insights are more accurate than those from his close teammate?
not looking for an online war or debate like you apparently are, you comparing Pivetta to Bryant is a rabbit hole I’m not climbing into.
Enjoy yourself
Countering hate isn’t soliciting a war. It’s the opposite. Peace.
Lucas Giolito….. “Hello, it’s AJ, what are you up to?????”……
“Uhhhh, still about 6′ 6″… why?”
Just checking to see if you’ve decided what you’re worth…
ouch “Brew88 Exits the MLBTR chat with apparent funny bone stiffness”
The Braves designated Martin Perez as another potential option.
I wouldn’t mind that. But with the sale pending, I don’t know if they make any meaningful moves. To sign Giolito you would have to likely work with the potential buyers.
James
I think interacting with owners is smart but I’m sure current ownership has full discretion to run the team. Also with over 3b in play, a 5 m contract to Gio shouldn’t be a big deal.
They may even expect moves to keep team in good shape.
German Marquez has looked over-matched so far this year with a 5.54 ERA and 7.50 FIP
Outside of Julien and Moniak yesterday Marquez was pretty good against the lineup. Just got bit by the long ball against those two hitters, Moniak twice Julien once
3 outings he’s been bad good decent. I’d hardly pull the plug after 3 starts esp as your 5th
King
Vasquez
Buehler
Marquez
I’d go with Canning but interim I’d do a pen day once Estrada is back to keep guys around long as possible
Marinaccio starter
Hart in between
Get 5 innings
Bridge to Rodriguez Estrada Morejon Miller Morgan
I like the idea of a bridge to Bradg and the 3Ms for next turn in rotation. Then bring in Waldron. Canning is 2 weeks away I’m hearing.
And hopefully Joe a couple of weeks later.
Big hope that Nick just needs a little rest.
LTC, Musgrove has now thrown simulated games of 60 pitches. He is ready for a rehab assignment, but they are being very careful with him. Especially since the team is in the midst of a hot streak. Rather see him on the roster in October than April or even early May.
Brew, Canning threw on Friday for El Paso. 3.1 IP, 62 Pitches, 1 ER, 4 SO. Padres want to see him get to 90 pitches before calling him up. If all goes well a start on Wednesday-Thursday and the following Tuesday for El Paso, then possibly a start against the White Sox on Sunday May 3rd at Petco. If he needs one more start in the minors, then his call up is to start against the Cardinals on the 8th or 9th.
I see Matsui replacing Hart very soon.
Any idea what is going on with Musgrove? Should he not have been ready to come back by now? There were rumblings that he might be ready for the playoffs last October.
If Preller&Co., have any interest in Giolito, they better get on him in a hurry.
Giolito has lowered his asking price to a one year $875,000,000 contract if he can get hurt immediately after signing.
No.
Musgrove has been throwing simulated games. The last one was 60 pitches. I would think he is ready to go on a rehab assignment, but the Padres have no reason to rush him with Waldron pitching so effectively in his rehab assignment and Canning’s return about 2 weeks out.
Padres have no interest in Giolito at the 2/32 price he continues to think he is worth. At a prorated 1/$5 million it would still be a maybe, but a lot more likely.
Waldron’s numbers for El Paso in three starts are ridiculous. I just checked. I hope it translates to the Major’s. Canning not quite as good. Gillaspie hasn’t found his groove yet. But at least he’s pitching…unlike Musgrove. I’m hoping an effective Musgrove comes back by June. We’ll see!
MacKenzie and Sears not so great but they are healthy at least.
I hope we continue to hit HRs because Seattle is hot now and the Angels have hot pitcher Soriano going against Buehler on Friday night. I’m hoping we split and go 3 – 3 this week.
Craig stammens is a manager already?
Ruh roh Raggy
Inb4 Tommy John