Pivetta returns to Padres' roster seeking win in final days

Amid the race for the final National League Wild Card spot, the San Diego Padres activated pitcher Nick Pivetta from the injured list, announcing his return for the game against the Nationals. The move comes right after a 4-3 victory over the Yankees, when manager Craig Stammen revealed that Pivetta will be the starting pitcher to open the series.

Pivetta's activation to the active roster

Pivetta was sidelined for nearly five months due to a right elbow flexor strain. He returned to pitch in a final rehab outing with Triple-A El Paso, where he threw four and a third scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Manager Stammen noted the improvement in his velocity and breaking stuff, considering the player ready to return to the big leagues.

Pivetta as a potential starting pitcher

Stammen confirmed that Pivetta will be the starting pitcher for the series opener against the Nationals. The manager also pointed out that Pivetta will have a limited pitch count, hovering around 64 pitches from his last rehab outing, and that his usage will follow a workload strategy similar to the one used in his final rehab appearance.

Impact on the Padres' rotation

With Pivetta's arrival, the Padres' rotation gains more depth. Randy Vásquez, who was in the bullpen, can now return to the rotation, while manager Stammen plans to stick with a five-man starting rotation, avoiding the need for a sixth option. The strategy aims to preserve pitching quality, especially considering the team is just half a game behind the Diamondbacks in the wild-card race.

Season outlook

Pivetta's return could influence Michael King's position as the number two starter in a potential playoff series. King, who turned in a solid performance with six scoreless innings, expressed enthusiasm about Pivetta's return, stating it would be important for the team down the stretch. Pivetta's return may also open the door for adjustments to Joe Musgrove's pitching strategy, who could be used in short stints to manage fatigue between appearances.

Conclusion

Pivetta's activation marks an important step for the Padres as they look to solidify their position in the playoff race. The pitcher, now back on the active roster, has the opportunity to contribute to the team at a critical moment of the season.

With information from MLB Trade Rumors, MLB.com, San Diego Union-Tribune.