Padres halt Nick Pivetta's rehab after elbow setback

The San Diego Padres have paused right‑hander Nick Pivetta’s rehabilitation assignment after he exited the first inning of a Low‑A Lake Elsinore start with elbow tightness. Manager Craig Stammen said the team will take a cautious approach, noting that any pitcher who leaves a rehab inning early must be reassessed. Pivetta was later able to throw a short 20‑30 pitch bullpen session, but the club opted to give him additional rest while evaluating his condition.

Pivetta, who signed a four‑year, $55 million free‑agent deal in the 2024‑25 offseason, carries a conditional $14 million club option for 2027 that is triggered if he spends more than 130 consecutive days on the injured list. Because he was placed on the IL on April 14, he must return by August 22 to avoid the clause, which would void the final two guaranteed years of his contract and eliminate his opt‑out rights. The pitcher still has $32 million remaining on his deal. The Padres, who added right‑hander Casey Mize and left‑hander Robbie Ray at the trade deadline, hope Pivetta can rejoin the rotation before the deadline.