The San Diego Padres have a problem. And it’s not a small one. Their starting rotation, which carried them through recent seasons, has completely cratered in 2026. The numbers are ugly, the depth is gone, and the manager is basically working with duct tape and hope at this point.
But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe.
Nick Pivetta hasn’t pitched since mid-April because of right elbow inflammation. An MRI revealed a flexor strain, which kept him off a mound for weeks. But the team just got some real news: Pivetta threw a light bullpen session on June 27. That’s the first time he’s done that since going down. He started playing catch in late May, so this is a genuine step forward.
Why Pivetta matters so much
He was flat-out the best pitcher on this staff before he got hurt. Through April, Pivetta had a 2.87 ERA, which would be a career-best if he keeps it up. The Padres need that version of him, not the guy who was inconsistent in Boston, but the guy who looked like a legit ace. If he’s back after the All-Star break, that changes the whole vibe of this team’s playoff push.
The other name to watch is Joe Musgrove. He hasn’t thrown a pitch in a real game since 2024. It’s been that long. He had a setback in March that pushed everything back, but on June 23 he threw a long ball session. That’s not the same as facing live hitters, but it’s something. The Padres will take anything at this point.
The current rotation is rough
Michael King is the de facto ace now, and he’s been decent but not great. He’s had better seasons. Walker Buehler has actually been the second-best starter on the team, which says more about the rotation than it does about Buehler. He just beat the Dodgers in his last start, so maybe there’s something there.
After that, it gets grim. Randy Vasquez is struggling. Lucas Giolito signed early in the season and hasn’t found his footing. Griffin Canning has been legitimately bad. A few more arms are on the injured list. Manager Craig Stammen is basically trying to patch together five innings every night with whatever he’s got.
The Padres need this to work. They need Pivetta back and they need Musgrove to somehow return to form. Because right now, this rotation isn’t getting them to October. And the clock is ticking.
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