Nick Pivetta Facing Extended Absence With Flexor Strain

Key Points:

• San Diego Padres' Opening Day starter Nick Pivetta has been diagnosed with a flexor strain and will be sidelined for an indeterminate period, potentially lasting weeks or months.
• Both manager Craig Stammen and Pivetta are optimistic about a return this season, hoping to avoid surgery; however, this injury may result in a longer absence than a previous mild strain Pivetta experienced in April 2024.
• Matt Waldron is set to be activated from the injured list to replace Pivetta in the rotation, which is already thin due to the absence of Yu Darvish and uncertain timelines for Joe Musgrove and others.
• Griffin Canning is expected to return in a few weeks to fill a rotation spot, potentially displacing one of the current pitchers like Buehler, Waldron, or Márquez, who have had mixed performances so far.
• Pivetta’s injury could influence his upcoming free agency decision, as he has the option to opt out of two years and $32 million remaining on his contract if he returns to form.