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Padres Nightmare: Pivetta Exits Rehab Start Injured
Padres Pitchers Face Setbacks During Rehab Starts
What Happened on Tuesday?
The San Diego Padres got some worrying news during a minor league rehab game on Tuesday. Two of their starting pitchers—Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove—were both making their first appearances back from injury. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for either of them.
Important Update
This story is still developing. The Padres have not released official medical updates yet. More information is expected soon.
Who Are These Pitchers?
| Pitcher | Injury | Time Missed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Pivetta | Flexor discomfort (forearm/elbow area) | Since April 12 | Left game early with new injury |
| Joe Musgrove | Tommy John surgery (elbow ligament reconstruction) | Since October 2024 | Completed his planned innings |
Nick Pivetta’s Scary Moment
What We Saw
- Started strong: Pivetta threw 14 pitches, 8 for strikes
- Good velocity: Hit 95 mph on the radar gun
- Only 2 outs recorded: Faced a few batters in the 4th inning
- Sudden exit: Walked off the mound shaking his head
- No celebration: Went straight to the dugout—didn’t wait for the inning to end
His 2026 Season So Far
- 4 starts before getting hurt
- 1–2 record (won 1, lost 2)
- 4.50 ERA (earned run average—runs allowed per 9 innings)
- First game back since April 12
What is "Flexor Discomfort"?
The flexor muscles are in your forearm. They help you grip the ball and snap your wrist. When they’re tight or hurt, it’s hard to throw properly—and it can lead to bigger elbow problems.
Joe Musgrove’s Long Road Back
His Rehab Line (Stats from Tuesday)
- 2⅔ innings pitched (got 8 outs)
- 1 run allowed on 2 hits
- 39 pitches thrown (22 strikes, 17 balls)
- 3 strikeouts, 2 walks
The Big Picture
- Tommy John surgery in October 2024
- ~10 months of rehab so far
- First game action since surgery
- Piggybacked with Pivetta (pitched first, then Pivetta followed)
What is Tommy John Surgery?
Named after the first pitcher to have it (Tommy John). Doctors replace a torn ligament in the elbow with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. Recovery takes 12–18 months for most pitchers.
Why This Matters for the Padres
The Rotation Depth Problem
- The Padres added both pitchers to the rotation on Monday
- They needed innings from both guys
- Now Pivetta’s status is unknown
- Musgrove still needs more rehab starts before joining the big club
What "Piggybacking" Means
In the minors, teams sometimes have two starters share one game:
- Starter A (Musgrove) throws ~3 innings
- Starter B (Pivetta) throws the next ~3 innings
- Relievers finish the game
This limits workload for guys coming back from injury.
Summary
| Good News | Bad News |
|---|---|
| Musgrove looked healthy, threw strikes | Pivetta left with apparent new injury |
| Musgrove’s velocity & stuff were solid | Pivetta’s forearm/elbow may be bothering him again |
| Both got needed game action | Padres rotation depth takes another hit |
| Story still developing—could be minor | No timeline for either pitcher’s return |
Bottom line: The Padres hoped to get two starters back soon. Now they’re waiting on medical reports for Pivetta, while Musgrove continues his slow build-up from major elbow surgery.
FAQ
Will Pivetta need surgery again?
We don’t know yet. He shook his head walking off—that’s often a bad sign. The team will likely do an MRI (detailed scan) within 24–48 hours.
When will Musgrove pitch for the Padres?
Probably not for a few weeks. Guys coming back from Tommy John usually need 4–6 rehab starts to build up to 90+ pitches. Tuesday was just #1.
What does this mean for the Padres’ playoff chances?
They lost two projected starters on the same day. Their rotation depth—already a concern—is now very thin. They may need to trade for help or use "bullpen games" (multiple relievers sharing one game).
Can Pivetta pitch through this?
Not recommended. Forearm/elbow issues in pitchers often get worse if ignored. The flexor muscle protects the UCL (the ligament replaced in Tommy John surgery). Risking it could mean season-ending surgery.
Where is Lake Elsinore?
It’s in Southern California, about 60 miles north of San Diego. The Lake Elsinore Storm are the Padres’ Low-A affiliate (rookie/first full pro level). Rehab games often happen there because it’s close to the big league team.
