Nick Pivetta Exits Early With Elbow Stiffness As Padres Monitor Injury

The San Diego Padres were dealt a concerning setback on Sunday when starting pitcher Nick Pivetta exited early during a series finale against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park due to what was later described as right elbow stiffness.

Pivetta left the game in the fourth inning, cutting short what had been one of his more effective outings of the season and raising immediate questions about his availability moving forward.

The club later confirmed the injury via its official channels, noting the discomfort in his throwing arm as the reason for his departure.

The early exit overshadowed what had been a promising performance for the veteran right-hander, who was showing signs of returning to form after a rocky start to the year.

1. Strong Start Cut Short By Injury

Before leaving the game, Pivetta was in full control, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing no hits and no walks. He also recorded four strikeouts, efficiently navigating the Rockies lineup. He needed just 46 pitches to complete those three frames, showing improved command and rhythm compared to earlier outings this season. However, his momentum came to an abrupt halt in the fourth inning when he signaled discomfort and was removed from the game. The timing was especially unfortunate given that it was shaping up to be his most complete start of the 2026 campaign.

2. Season Context And Early-Season Struggles

Pivetta entered Sunday’s game with a 1-2 record and a 5.54 ERA through his first three starts, numbers that did not fully reflect his underlying improvements in recent weeks. Despite those early struggles, there were signs of progress in his mechanics and command, which made Sunday’s outing particularly encouraging before the injury occurred. The 33-year-old is in his second season with San Diego after a strong 2025 campaign in which he went 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA and finished sixth in National League Cy Young Award voting. That prior success has raised expectations that he can again become a stabilizing force in the Padres’ rotation once fully healthy.

3. Padres Await Diagnosis And Rotation Options

The Padres are now waiting for further medical evaluation to determine the severity of Pivetta’s elbow stiffness and whether a stint on the injured list will be necessary. Given the importance of rotation depth, any extended absence would force San Diego to adjust its pitching plans early in the season. One potential reinforcement is Matt Waldron, who is currently working through a rehab assignment at Triple-A and could soon rejoin the major league roster. For now, the team is hoping Pivetta’s issue is minor, as they aim to avoid another disruption to a pitching staff that relies heavily on stability at the top of the rotation.