Nick Pivetta Abruptly Exits First Rehab Start After 14 Pitches Due to Elbow

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta left his Tuesday rehab outing for Single-A Lake Elsinore following a 2-2 fastball in the fourth inning.

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta departed his first rehab appearance Tuesday for Single-A Lake Elsinore after throwing just 14 pitches. The 33-year-old pitcher walked abruptly to the dugout following a 2-2 fastball in the fourth inning, having recorded two outs while throwing eight strikes. During the outing, Pivetta’s fastball velocity touched 95 mph before he experienced what manager Craig Stammen described as minor tightness in his right elbow.

Prior to the exit, the veteran starter had not appeared in a competitive game since April 12, when he left a Padres contest against the Rockies due to flexor discomfort. He was officially placed on the injured list on April 14 with elbow inflammation. Despite the sudden departure on Tuesday, Pivetta reportedly regrouped in the batting cage to throw an additional 20 to 30 pitches off a mound. The San Diego training staff scheduled a full reevaluation for Wednesday to determine the extent of the issue.

Contract Implications and Injury History

Pivetta is currently playing under a $55 million contract signed in February 2025, which includes player opt-out clauses following the 2026 and 2027 seasons. However, a specific clause allows San Diego to void the final two years and $32 million of the deal if he suffers a specified injury or surgery and remains on the injured list for more than 130 consecutive days within a single season or one-year period. This latest setback follows a history of arm trouble, including a right elbow flexor strain that sidelined him from April 6 to May 8, 2024.

Stammen noted the unusual nature of the situation, telling The San Diego Union-Tribune that throwing a bullpen session immediately after walking off the field is not typical for a first rehab start. The manager suggested the pitcher might have been scared or worried during the initial moment of tightness. The club’s decision on his next steps depends entirely on how the right-hander feels upon waking up the day after the appearance.

Statistical Impact on Padres Rotation

Before his April 14 move to the injured list, Pivetta posted a 1-2 record with a 4.50 ERA across the early stages of the 2026 season. His absence comes as the Padres sit two games out of the National League wild-card race as of Tuesday. The club is looking to regain the form Pivetta displayed in 2025, when he finished with a 13-5 record and a 2.87 ERA over 31 starts.

Over a 10-season MLB career spanning stints with the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and San Diego, the right-hander has compiled a 70-78 record. He has maintained a 4.47 career ERA while recording 1,353 strikeouts across 1,227 innings of work.

Reevaluation and Next Steps

The Padres organization remains cautious regarding the "ironic" nature of Pivetta continuing to throw in the cage after leaving the game. Stammen emphasized that while walking off the field often signals the end of a stint, the subsequent bullpen session suggests the situation remains fluid. The team will monitor the elbow closely to see if the inflammation that originally sidelined him in April has returned or if this tightness represents a new concern. San Diego has not yet provided a timeline for a potential second rehab start or a return to the Major League roster.