Padres Eye Former All-Star Lucas Giolito Amid Pitching Injuries

The Padres are monitoring the free agent market for the one-time All-Star as they look to bolster their rotation.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:21pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the dynamic and fragmented nature of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's delivery highlights the complex, fragmented nature of the sport as the Padres seek to fill a key rotation spot.San Diego Today

With pitcher Nick Pivetta heading to the injured list due to an elbow injury, the San Diego Padres are reportedly eyeing free agent Lucas Giolito as a potential replacement. Giolito, a former All-Star and Cy Young candidate, remains unsigned despite his strong 2022 season with the Chicago White Sox.

Why it matters

The Padres' hold on second place in the NL West could be weakened by Pivetta's injury, making it crucial for the team to find a reliable replacement. Giolito, who posted a 3.41 ERA and 121 strikeouts last season, could provide a significant boost to the Padres' rotation.

The details

According to reports, the Padres are actively monitoring Giolito's situation and may pursue him as a rental option to fill the void left by Pivetta's injury. While Giolito's market value calls for a three-year, $61 million deal, the fact that he remains unsigned could give the Padres some financial flexibility in negotiations.

  • On April 15, 2026, Nick Pivetta was placed on the injured list with an elbow injury.
  • The Padres are reportedly eyeing Giolito as a potential replacement for Pivetta in the coming days.

The players

Nick Pivetta

A pitcher for the San Diego Padres who was recently placed on the injured list with an elbow injury.

Lucas Giolito

A former All-Star and Cy Young candidate who is currently a free agent and being monitored by the Padres as a potential replacement for Pivetta.

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What they’re saying

“With pitching injuries mounting across Major League Baseball, the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres are eyeing right-hander Lucas Giolito, league sources told The Athletic on Tuesday, monitoring the situation involving a one-time All-Star who remains a free agent in the middle of April.”

— Patrick Mooney, Ken Rosenthal, Dennis Lin and Sahadev Sharma, Reporters

What’s next

The Padres will need to act quickly to sign Giolito, as other teams like the Chicago Cubs may also be interested in the free agent pitcher.

The takeaway

This move highlights the Padres' need to bolster their pitching rotation in the face of Pivetta's injury, and Giolito's availability as a free agent could provide a timely solution. However, the team's ongoing sale process may complicate their financial flexibility in signing the former All-Star.