Padres Pitching Depth Faces Early Test After Pivetta Injury

San Diego's problem-solving skills will be put to the test as they navigate Pivetta's setback.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:34am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion, with sharp planes of muted earth tones representing the Padres' problem-solving skills in the face of pitching injuries.A cubist interpretation of a Padres pitcher's delivery captures the team's ability to adapt to pitching challenges.San Diego Today

The San Diego Padres are facing an early-season pitching injury after starter Nick Pivetta exited his start on Sunday with an undisclosed issue. While the severity of the injury is still unknown, the Padres have shown an ability to overcome pitching challenges in the past, relying on their deep roster and front office problem-solving skills to stay competitive in the wild-card race.

Why it matters

The Padres have dealt with significant pitching injuries in recent seasons, including the loss of their ace Michael King for three months last year. Their ability to navigate these types of setbacks will be crucial in determining their postseason chances, as the team looks to build on a strong start to the 2026 campaign.

The details

Pivetta left Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies after just 45 pitches, with manager Craig Stammen and pitching coach Ruben Niebla visiting the mound. The right-hander appeared visibly frustrated as he handed the ball to Stammen and exited the game. While Pivetta said 'it's too early' to know the extent of the issue, the Padres have several options to potentially replace him, including Matt Waldron, JP Sears, and Griffin Canning.

  • Pivetta left Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies after just 45 pitches.

The players

Nick Pivetta

The Padres' starting pitcher who exited his Sunday start with an undisclosed injury.

Craig Stammen

The Padres' manager who visited the mound and removed Pivetta from the game.

Ruben Niebla

The Padres' pitching coach who was seen stirring in the dugout during Pivetta's outing.

Matt Waldron

A Padres pitching prospect who could potentially join the team soon and help fill in for Pivetta.

JP Sears

A Padres left-handed pitcher who is available to potentially replace Pivetta in the rotation.

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What they’re saying

“'Bullpen picked me up. Team did a great job. Lot of home runs. Lot of great plays. Was able to get a really good sweep and build some good momentum at home.'”

— Nick Pivetta

What’s next

The Padres will wait to determine the severity of Pivetta's injury and whether he will need to miss any time. If he is sidelined, the team has several internal options to potentially replace him in the rotation, including Matt Waldron, JP Sears, and Griffin Canning.

The takeaway

The Padres have shown an ability to overcome pitching injuries in the past, relying on their deep roster and front office problem-solving skills to stay competitive. While Pivetta's injury is concerning, the team has the resources to navigate this setback and maintain their strong start to the 2026 season.