Padres Add Pivetta to IL with Elbow Inflammation, Call Up Waldron

The San Diego Padres placed right-handed starter Nick Pivetta on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 13 due to elbow inflammation. Reliever Matt Waldron was recalled from Triple-A El Paso to take Pivetta’s spot on the active roster. Pivetta exited Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies after three innings due to stiffness in his throwing elbow.

Manager Craig Stammen confirmed to reporters that the team is waiting for imaging results to better understand the extent of Pivetta’s injury and potential recovery timeline. Pivetta, who finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting last season, has made a strong start this year with 24 strikeouts in 16 innings. His 4.50 ERA has been slightly inflated by a few high-run games, but his overall performance has been impressive for a team that needs every strong start it can get.

With Pivetta on the IL, the Padres now have three starters on the shelf: Joe Musgrove, Griffin Canning, and Pivetta. Musgrove has yet to throw off a mound, while Canning is currently on a rehab assignment and is expected to need nearly the full 30 days to return from last season’s Achilles tear. Waldron, who began the season on the injured list, is expected to return to the starting rotation this week.

Stammen said Waldron will step into the starting five in place of Pivetta. Michael King will pitch in Pivetta’s spot on Wednesday, with Randy Vásquez and Walker Buehler set to follow on Thursday and Friday. Germán Márquez is on track to pitch Friday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Angels. If the Padres choose to keep Waldron on the IL until Saturday, they could add an additional reliever to the mix.

Pivetta’s injury is a major blow for the Padres, who signed him to a three-year, $51 million contract in December 2022. He can opt out of the remaining two years and $32 million of the deal this winter. A healthy Pivetta would make that move more attractive, especially with his strong performance and potential as a free agent.

The Padres will continue to monitor Pivetta’s recovery and adjust their rotation accordingly. Their next game is Tuesday against the Rockies, with King on the mound. The team has until April 28 to make a decision on Waldron’s status if they choose to keep him on the injured list.