San Diego Padres pitchers Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta have taken big steps to return from injury.
Apr 12, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta , left, leaves the field with a trainer during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park.
Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectBoth pitchers have been dealing with elbow injuries, keeping them out of the rotation. But each starter has now taken another step toward a return, and the Padres could be getting some help in the rotation. Musgrove and Pivetta both threw an "up-down" at the Padres complex this week.
This means that each starter was able to throw 15-20 pitches before sitting down for a rest, to then throw 15-20 more in a simulation of two innings. The recovery process has been very long for each starter, but this is the next step in their return. Padres manager Craig Stammen was excited about the latest update, giving more insight into where the two are in their recovery.
If all goes to plan, both pitchers could look to face live hitters next week. This would put the timeline for a return in August, with rehab assignments coming after that. Pivetta has been out since mid-April, when he left his fourth start of the year early due to a flexor strain in his right elbow.
The PadresPivetta to be the leader of the staff this season, so losing him for an extended period of time has been tough.in his elbow during spring training, and it's kept him out ever since. The veteran missed the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery recovery, so this was a blow to the rotation plans. , with Musgrove's elbow not cooperating at times.
But this new update is great to hear, as the Padres could use Musgrove for the stretch run of the season.
“If we were gonna bounce a ball, that bouncing of the elbow is where I get a lot of pain,” Musgrove said last month. “And to be able to throw a ball with good intensity and be able to spin the ball and put the ball where I want location-wise, I need to be able to bounce the elbow and lock it out hard. That’s been the biggest struggle for me over the last couple months.
"Matt earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Louisiana State University in 2021. He was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, covering all Southern California sports in his career.
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