Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta eases injury fears after concerning rehab scare
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The San Diego Padres received an injury update on Nick Pivetta Tuesday when his first minor league rehab appearance ended prematurely. The veteran pitcher experienced right elbow tightness, raising questions about whether his recovery faced a setback.
Pivetta took the mound for Low-A Lake Elsinore in his first game action since April. He recorded two outs on 14 pitches before exiting during an at-bat because of the discomfort.
The abbreviated outing drew attention because Pivetta has spent nearly four months recovering from a right elbow flexor strain. San Diego placed him on the injured list after elbow stiffness forced him from an April start.
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USA Today’s Bob Nightengale provided additional context on X, formerly Twitter, after Pivetta’s rehab appearance prompted concerns about his recovery.
“Nick Pivetta felt tightness in his elbow during his rehab start when he came off the mound but then threw 30 pitch bullpen session and felt perfectly fine. The Padres will know more tomorrow how he feels.”
Pivetta threw beneath the stadium after his departure, using his full arsenal without experiencing further discomfort. Manager Craig Stammen confirmed the sequence to reporters. The additional work offered encouragement, though the organization must determine how Pivetta’s elbow responds overnight.
His recovery remains important despite the Padres’ deadline additions. The club acquired Robbie Ray and Casey Mize on Monday, strengthening a rotation that has operated without Pivetta and Joe Musgrove.
Before the injury, the 33-year-old served as San Diego’s Opening Day starter after posting a 2.87 ERA in 2025. A healthy return would give the Padres’ pitching rotation another experienced option and greater flexibility during its postseason pursuit.
That depth could become especially valuable late in the season, when workload management and matchup flexibility often shape a contender’s postseason pitching strategy in October.
For now, the successful bullpen session keeps Tuesday’s scare from becoming a confirmed setback. Wednesday’s evaluation should determine whether Pivetta can continue his rehabilitation schedule as planned or needs additional testing before returning to game action.
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