Padres Decline Options on Pivetta, Giolito, and Canning; Retain Kyle Hart

The San Diego Padres declined a $14 million option for 2027 on right-hander Nick Pivetta, who missed significant time this season with right elbow inflammation.

The San Diego Padres declined a $14 million option for 2027 on right-hander Nick Pivetta on Sunday, making him a free agent after two years and $23 million with the club. Pivetta, 33, posted a 3-2 record with a 2.86 ERA in eight outings this season but missed over 130 consecutive days between April 12 and Sept. 7 due to right elbow inflammation.

San Diego also declined an $8 million mutual option on Lucas Giolito, who receives a $1.5 million buyout. The 32-year-old right-hander went 2-3 with a 5.16 ERA in seven appearances before his season ended June 21 with elbow inflammation. Additionally, the team declined a $5 million mutual option on 30-year-old Griffin Canning, who finished the year 5-9 with a 5.68 ERA across 11 starts and 19 relief appearances. Canning is owed a $1.8 million buyout.

The Padres exercised a $2.5 million option on left-hander Kyle Hart for the upcoming season. Hart, 33, recorded a 1-3 record and a 4.92 ERA in 46 appearances this year. In other roster moves, infielder Miguel Andujar declined his $8 million mutual option to accept a $2.9 million buyout. Andujar batted .259 with five home runs in 74 games before a fractured right hand sidelined him on July 19.

Reliever Wandy Peralta exercised his $4.45 million player option to remain with the team through 2027. The 35-year-old left-hander threw a career-high 77 1/3 innings in 65 appearances, finishing with a 3.61 ERA. Yuki Matsui also chose not to opt out of his five-year, $28 million contract. Matsui, 31, posted a 5-1 record with a 1.83 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 64 innings of relief.