Padres Decline Nick Pivetta’s $14 Million Option
The San Diego Padres declined their $14 million option on right-hander Nick Pivetta on October 31, making him a free agent after an injury-shortened 2026 season.
San Diego declined its $14 million option on Nick Pivetta for 2027, ending the current contract and sending the right-hander into free agency. A clause in the deal gave the Padres control of the option after Pivetta missed much of the season with a flexor tendon injury. Exercising it also could have left the team facing an $18 million player option for 2028.
Pivetta missed about five months in 2026. He returned late in the season, making eight regular-season starts with a 2.86 ERA, then allowed three runs over 7.2 innings in two postseason starts. The Padres have concerns about his elbow, despite his strong results in those appearances.
The decision does not rule out Pivetta returning to San Diego. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller said earlier this month that the team hoped to find a way to keep him, and a new deal could still be negotiated this offseason. San Diego may seek terms that reduce its financial exposure if Pivetta has another extended injury absence.
Pivetta’s departure leaves the Padres without one of their expected rotation pieces as they consider their pitching needs for 2027. He could also receive an offer from another team and sign elsewhere.