The San Diego Padres’ starting rotation is on thin ice. The Friars finished off a sweep of the Colorado Rockies this weekend, but the broom celebration was tempered by Nick Pivetta‘s early exit from his start on Sunday. After pitching a perfect game through three innings, he came out for the fourth. His fastball was thrown with significantly less velocity than normal. He left the game with a Padres athletic trainer looking visibly frustrated, quickly retreating into the clubhouse.
The Padres announced today that Pivetta has been placed on the 15-day injured list. In a corresponding move, the Padres called up reliever Alek Jacob to bolster the bullpen. He won’t stay with the Friars long. Pivetta’s next start wouldn’t have been until Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels. But, until then, the Padres will have nine men in the bullpen.
Padres Place Nick Pivetta on 15-Day Injured List
Knuckleballer Matt Waldron will likely start in Pivetta’s place against the Halos. He’s pitched 12 scoreless innings across three games in Triple-A this season. He’ll now bolster the San Diego rotation until Pivetta returns.
We have recalled RHP Alek Jacob from Triple-A El Paso and placed RHP Nick Pivetta on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation (retro to April 13).
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 14, 2026
How Does San Diego Move Forward?
It’s been reported that San Diego is one of the clubs in on remaining free agent Lucas Giolito. He would be a helpful depth pickup if Pivetta misses any more time. But if the price isn’t worth it (as it seems not to have been thus far), the Friars should pass on his services in favor of Triple-A options like Griffin Canning, Marco Gonzales, Triston McKenzie, and JP Sears.
The timeline for the return of the Friars ace is unclear. Earlier this spring, Pivetta was scratched from a Cactus League start due to fatigue in his throwing arm. Manager Craig Stammen indicated the two were possibly linked. He returned to his regular throwing schedule soon after, and the worries of injury were put to bed until now.
If Pivetta doesn’t return soon, it could spell disaster for an already thin San Diego rotation. The Friar Faithful can only hope for the best, now relying on Michael King and Randy Vásquez‘s surprising ace-like performance. But, with stiffness in Pivetta’s throwing elbow, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to the full season before he steps on a mound again.
Main Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
