Padres Pursuing Free Agent Pitcher Amid Pivetta Injury Concern

The Padres are reportedly one of two teams interested in signing former All-Star Lucas Giolito as concerns grow over Nick Pivetta's elbow injury.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:25pm

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The San Diego Padres are reportedly one of two teams monitoring free agent pitcher Lucas Giolito, according to sources cited by The Athletic. The Chicago Cubs are also tracking Giolito, who went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox last year. The report heightens concerns around Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta, who exited his most recent start with right elbow stiffness. If Pivetta needs time on the injured list, the Padres will need a replacement, and Giolito has more upside than any of the team's in-house options.

Why it matters

The Padres are in need of pitching depth with concerns around Pivetta's elbow injury. Giolito, a former All-Star, would provide an experienced and talented option to fill in if Pivetta is sidelined. This move could have significant implications for the Padres' playoff hopes this season.

The details

The Padres are reportedly one of two teams, along with the Chicago Cubs, interested in signing free agent pitcher Lucas Giolito. Giolito, a right-hander, went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox last season. He is a former All-Star who has a career 4.30 ERA in 206 games (204 starts) over nine MLB seasons with the Nationals, White Sox, Angels, Guardians, and Red Sox. The report of the Padres' interest in Giolito comes as the team is concerned about an elbow injury to their de facto ace, Nick Pivetta. Pivetta exited his most recent start with right elbow stiffness, and if he needs time on the injured list, the Padres will need a replacement, with Giolito being an experienced and talented option.

  • Pivetta exited his most recent start on Sunday with right elbow stiffness.
  • Giolito had an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in March 2024 and did not pitch that season.

The players

Lucas Giolito

A former All-Star pitcher who is currently a free agent. He went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox last season and has a career 4.30 ERA in 206 games (204 starts) over nine MLB seasons.

Nick Pivetta

The Padres' de facto ace, who became the team's top starter in the first year of a four-year, $55 million contract a year ago. He exited his most recent start with right elbow stiffness, raising concerns about his health.

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What they’re saying

“I've had a few of those moments over the last like couple months where it's like I planned something for the weekend. And it's like, whoa, what happens if — but no, we're still here.”

— Lucas Giolito

What’s next

The Padres will continue to monitor Pivetta's elbow injury and determine if he needs to be placed on the injured list. If so, they will likely make a push to sign Giolito as a replacement in their starting rotation.

The takeaway

The Padres' pursuit of Giolito highlights the importance of pitching depth in baseball, especially when a team's top starter suffers an injury. Giolito's potential signing could be a crucial move for the Padres as they aim to maintain their playoff positioning in the competitive National League.