San Diego Padres decline Nick Pivetta's $14 million option

The San Diego Padres have decided not to exercise the $14 million club option on right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta for the 2027 season, making him a free agent. This decision follows a season in 2026 where Pivetta missed nearly five months due to flexor tendon complications, limiting him to eight starts.

A clause in Pivetta's original four-year, $55 million contract was triggered by his injury-related absences, converting his $14 million player option into a club option. By declining the option, the Padres avoid a subsequent $18 million player option for 2028, effectively saving the organization approximately $32 million in total commitments.

Despite the move, Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller indicated that the organization remains interested in Pivetta. Preller stated that the team will evaluate various possibilities to potentially bring the pitcher back to the roster for 2027.