SAN DIEGO (AP) – In a significant moment during Sunday’s 7-2 victory against the Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta departed the game in the fourth inning due to stiffness in his pitching elbow.
Pivetta had successfully retired his first nine batters but experienced discomfort while delivering a 92.2 mph four-seam fastball, which was below his season average. This incident prompted immediate attention from the coaching staff.
Coaching Response and Replacement
As Pivetta prepared to throw his 46th pitch, pitching coach Ruben Niebla contacted the bullpen. Following the pitch, manager Craig Stammen and head athletic trainer Mark Rogow approached the mound, leading to Pivetta’s exit from the game.
Pivetta’s Condition and Performance
Pivetta, 33, expressed his disappointment, stating, “I just tried to go out there and do the best I could and get as deep in the baseball game as I possibly could. Obviously, I didn’t feel good.” He finished the outing with four strikeouts but was unable to complete the game.
Future Outlook and Contract Details
Stammen confirmed that Pivetta had been dealing with elbow stiffness throughout the game, describing it as similar to issues he faced during spring training. Stammen remarked, “I think we caught it early enough this time. You know hopefully things will be all right, but anytime it’s someone’s elbow, especially a pitcher, it’s reason for caution.”
Pivetta is currently 1-2 with a 5.54 ERA and signed a $55 million contract in February 2025, which includes options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The Padres hold a clause that allows them to terminate the contract early if Pivetta incurs a specified injury or surgery and is on the injured list for over 130 consecutive days.
Previously, Pivetta was on the injured list from April 6 to May 8, 2024, due to a right elbow flexor strain.