The San Diego Padres have paused pitcher Nick Pivetta's rehabilitation progression after he experienced tightness in his right elbow during a recent rehab outing. Manager Craig Stammen confirmed the decision, stating that any time a player exits the mound mid-inning with an elbow injury during rehab, the process must be stopped.
Pivetta abruptly left his rehab start on Tuesday after throwing just over a dozen pitches, walking directly into the clubhouse. While there has been no subsequent setback, the team is exercising caution. This development means Pivetta will miss his next scheduled rehab start.
Pivetta's Season and Contract
Pivetta has made only four starts this season, pitching 16 innings with a 4.50 earned run average and 24 strikeouts. In 2025, he posted a 2.87 ERA and finished sixth in National League Cy Young voting. His return could significantly bolster the Padres' rotation, especially with recent trade acquisitions Casey Mize and Robbie Ray.
Adding to the urgency, Pivetta's contract status is tied to his recovery timeline. If he spends more than 130 days on the injured list with a specified injury, his player options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons will convert to club options. The deadline for this condition is August 22. Pivetta is owed $33.5 million over the next two years.
There is currently no set timeline for Pivetta to resume his rehab progression, and it is possible his 2026 season may be lost.