San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen confirms Nick Pivetta's flexor strain, sidelining the ace for weeks, possibly months.
Even amid a six-game winning streak, the San Diego Padres are dealing with an unlucky turn of events.
On Sunday, starting pitcher Nick Pivetta left in frustration after three innings. Pivetta stretched his arm, and left while yelling into his glove in a tense scene at Petco Park.
On Tuesday, the Padres put Pivetta on the 15-day IL, and knuckleballer Matt Waldron was seen at Petco, even saying he was expecting to start in Pivetta's place for the time being.
Pivetta, who was the Opening Day starter and the best pitcher for San Diego in 2024, is now out for some time. Pivetta even said on Wednesday that he didn't want to discuss his MRI results, instead saying he is going to focus on rest and rehab.
Just hours before Wednesday's game against the Seattle Mariners, manager Craig Stammen revealed Pivetta is dealing with a flexor strain.
While Pivetta didn't give an exact timeline, he said the following: “It’s probably going to be more weeks and maybe months than it is just specific days…we feel pretty confident he’s going to get back this year.”
Stammen said there is relief that Pivetta can come back this season, potentially, depending on how things go.
Pivetta retired the first nine batters in the game against the Rockies before leaving, so it's a disappointing twist for San Diego early on.
Joe Musgrove also began the year on the IL after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2025, so the rotation is already taking a big hit.
Immediately, Matt Waldron will take Pivetta's spot, and Michael King and Randy Vasquez have gotten off to strong starts.
On the other hand, Walker Buehler and German Marquez have been good and bad this year, and Griffin Canning is still working his way back from his injury a year ago.
Another option is left-hander JP Sears, who came over in the Mason Miller blockbuster trade, but Sears has struggled since coming to San Diego.
Lucas Giolito, who pitched in 2025 for the Boston Red Sox, has reportedly drawn interest from San Diego, although the looming ownership sale might have things at a standstill until that is sorted out.
At the end of the day, it sure sounds like Pivetta will be out for an extended period of time, and the rotation in San Diego has taken some big hits with the season not even one month old.