The San Diego Padres have great confidence in Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta when they take the hill. Each pitcher has defined why they’re a top-of-the-rotation starter with their bulldog-like mentality.
Musgrove is the hometown hero who pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history. Pivetta had a breakout 2025 campaign, going 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 31 starts. But elbow injuries have derailed their seasons.
Arm Injuries are tough
The road to recovery is tough. The rehab process is slow and frustrating, but quite necessary.
First, both right-handers must begin throwing at 75 feet, then gradually move to 125 feet. Next is a throwing session off the mound before heading out for rehab starts.
Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager AJ Preller is optimistic that Musgrove and Pivetta will pitch again this season. Currently, both starters are on the 60-day injured list, but neither has thrown a minor-league rehab start.
Musgrove’s recovery has been bumpy
Musgrove is recovering from the after-effects of Tommy John surgery that has sidelined him since October 2024. However, in Spring Training, he suffered a setback that has kept Musgrove from making his season debut. Unfortunately, his injury history seems to drag on longer than expected.
Immediately, the Friars placed Java Joe on the 60-day IL. Thanks to rest and rehab, he is now throwing short stints off the mound. Musgrove will not be rushed, but the hope is that he will return by late August or early September.
The return of Pivetta is not far off
In an early-season start against the Colorado Rockies, Pivetta exited the game with elbow stiffness. Afterward, an MRI showed a flexor strain. Team doctors recommended rest and rehab over elbow surgery. So far, the diagnosis has paid off.
Pivetta threw 20 pitches in a simulated outing in late July at the Peoria Sports Complex. He is expected to throw another brief simulated outing before having another MRI to check on his elbow’s condition. If the images are good, Pivetta will be sent out for minor-league rehab starts.
He may have a shorter timetable than Musgrove in returning to the active roster. But Pivetta will need at least four or five appearances before the Padres can consider him ready to pitch in the majors.
The Padres have been dealing with multiple injuries to the starting rotation all season. It began with Yu Darvish and Musgrove in Spring Training. Then you add Pivetta and his rotation replacement, Lucas Giolito, to an already long laundry list.
The return of Musgrove and Pivetta atop the rotation could alter the National League Wild Card race.
But let’s take it one step at a time. The Friar Faithful need to see them pitch in games before we can dream.
