Nick Pivetta's Elbow Stiffness Forces Early Exit, and the Padres' Rotation Just Got a Lot Shakier

The San Diego Padres got some bad news on the mound today. Right-hander Nick Pivetta left the game against the Rockies in the fourth inning due to right elbow stiffness, and suddenly the staff's best pitcher is in question for the foreseeable future.

According to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, Pivetta's velocity was noticeably down on his final pitch before he exited with manager Craig Stammen and a team trainer. He didn't look happy about it either. After the game, Stammen told Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune that Pivetta might need imaging tomorrow depending on how he feels when he wakes up, but there's cautious optimism. Stammen suggested there's a world where Pivetta makes his next start. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, but it's better than the alternative.

The Real Problem: Padres Can't Afford to Lose Their Ace

Pivetta was San Diego's top starter last year, posting a 2.87 ERA across 31 starts and 181 2/3 innings. That kind of consistency is impossible to replace, especially right now. Dylan Cease bolted to Toronto in free agency, and Joe Musgrove still isn't ready to come back from Tommy John surgery dating back to October 2024. If Pivetta misses time, the Padres are in real trouble.

This isn't Pivetta's first scare either. He missed a start during spring training last month due to arm fatigue. It's unclear if that earlier issue has anything to do with what happened today, but the timing is concerning.

Who Steps Up If Pivetta Goes Down?

The Padres do have some options. Matt Waldron and Griffin Canning are both on the injured list but progressing through rehab assignments and looking solid. Waldron appears to be further along in building up his pitch count and would likely be the first call if Pivetta gets shelved. Canning is on a guaranteed deal and can't be sent to the minors, but Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports he probably won't be ready until next month.

If they need a fifth starter before either is game-ready, JP Sears is available at Triple-A, along with non-roster veterans Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie. That's solid depth, but the rotation's depth chart gets murkier every day. Michael King has produced results but hasn't been as sharp as before his shoulder injury. Randy Vasquez has been excellent. Walker Buehler is showing encouraging signs. German Marquez, though, is struggling with a 5.54 ERA and a 7.50 FIP and could get pushed out of the rotation if things don't improve.

The next 24 hours will tell the story. Pivetta's imaging results will determine whether the Padres are dealing with a minor scare or a major crisis.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.