Nick Pivetta's Rehab Setback Raises Concerns Over Elbow Issue

WHO:

NY Post - Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres, manager Craig Stammen

MLB.com - Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres, manager Craig Stammen, Joe Musgrove

WHAT:

NY Post - The San Diego Padres have paused Nick Pivetta's rehab progression.

NY Post - Pivetta exited his rehab outing early with tightness in his right elbow after throwing just over a dozen pitches.

MLB.com - Pivetta made his first rehab start but exited after 14 pitches due to "tightness" in his elbow.

MLB.com - Pivetta missed his regularly scheduled bullpen session and will not make his next scheduled rehab start on time.

MLB.com - Pivetta is owed $33.5 million over the next two seasons.

MLB.com - Last season, Pivetta posted a 2.87 ERA and finished sixth in National League Cy Young voting.

MLB.com - Joe Musgrove made his first rehab appearance, throwing 39 pitches at Lake Elsinore.

WHERE:

NY Post - The rehab outing took place at Lake Elsinore.

MLB.com - The Padres and Diamondbacks are competing for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Pivetta signed a four-year deal with the Padres in February 2025.

MLB.com - Pivetta has been out since April due to a flexor strain in his right elbow.

MLB.com - Pivetta's opt-out deadline is August 22.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Padres paused Pivetta's rehab to assess the root cause of the elbow issue.

MLB.com - If Pivetta spends 130 days on the IL with a specified injury, his player options would convert to a club option.

HOW:

MLB.com - Pivetta was able to throw an extra 20-30 pitches off a bullpen mound after his exit.

MLB.com - Manager Craig Stammen stated it would be "reckless" to rush Pivetta back into his rehab schedule.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 15:53 UTC)

The San Diego Padres have paused Nick Pivetta's rehab progression after he exited his first rehab outing early due to tightness in his right elbow, having thrown just 14 pitches at Lake Elsinore. Manager Craig Stammen emphasized that it would be "reckless" to rush Pivetta back, especially since he has been out since April with a flexor strain and is owed $33.5 million over the next two seasons. Meanwhile, Joe Musgrove made his first rehab appearance, throwing 39 pitches, as the Padres continue to compete with the Diamondbacks for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.