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Nick Pivetta leaves a game for the San Diego Padres.
Nick Pivetta abruptly left his most recent minor league contest before completing an inning. It’s sparked speculation of a $32 million blow due to contract terms.
The appearance was the pitcher’s first since April 12. In his last game with the Padres, he prematurely exited due to elbow discomfort.
His rehab debut didn’t go as planned. His future earnings might now be at risk.
Nick Pivetta leaves minor league start.
Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta abruptly walks off the mound after two batters. pic.twitter.com/1A3T8TgFKr
— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) August 4, 2026
Pitching for Single-A Lake Elsinore, Pivetta unexpectedly walked off the field after a 2-2 pitch in the fourth frame. The reasoning remains somewhat unclear. Most believe it had something to do with his health.
His reaction was awkward. He hurried off the mound but then hesitated to enter the dugout. It had viewers wondering if there could be another cause for the departure outside of injury.
The pitcher had recorded two outs in the inning. He left after just 14 pitches.
San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen was asked about the exit after the fact. He’s still unsure of exactly what transpired.
“I think he was at a point where maybe he was scared, maybe worried, maybe hurt. We don’t know. We’ll find out. He threw the bullpen afterward, which is a little ironic. That’s not typical on your first rehab start. The key is we’ve really got to see how he wakes up and feels tomorrow, then go from there.”
-Craig Stammen
Pivetta was diagnosed with inflammation on April 14. He’s now attempting to work his way back to the bigs.
Injuries are nothing new to the pitcher, who was placed on the IL with an elbow flexor strain in 2024. He missed about a month of the season in that instance.
According to MLB writer Bob Nightengale, Pivetta felt tightness in his elbow during his rehab start, which forced his departure. As Stammen said, he did throw a bullpen session after the fact, which could be a positive sign that he’s avoided a significant setback.
Nick Pivetta felt tightness in his elbow during his rehab start when he came off the mound but then threw 30 pitch bullpen session and felt perfectly fine. The Padres will know more tomorrow how he feels.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 4, 2026
Pivetta’s health is a concern for a number of reasons. San Diego is just two games out of the wildcard. The return of a top arm would only bolster the rotation for a playoff push.
There is also a money aspect.
Pivetta signed a new deal in 2025.
The pitcher went 13-5 last year to finish sixth in the Cy Young voting. His 2.87 ERA was one of the best in the National League. He also racked up 190 strikeouts across 31 starts.
Last year was his first with the Padres. He signed a $55 million contract after five seasons in Boston. The terms of that deal reference potential injuries.
From ESPN:
He agreed to a $55 million deal in February 2025 that allows him to opt out after the 2026 and 2027 seasons, but San Diego has the option to void the remaining two years and $32 million if Pivetta has a specified injury or surgery related to the injury and is on the injured list for more than 130 consecutive days in any season or in a one-year period.
If unable to return to the field by August 22nd, he could lose out on $32 million.