Nick Pivetta’s return timeline has suddenly become one of the biggest financial storylines hanging over the Padres.
San Diego is already staring at a disappointing 48-50 mark coming out of the All-Star break, sitting 14 games behind in the NL West and 3.5 games out in the NL Wild Card race. But the club’s problems go beyond the standings. Pivetta, who was supposed to be a major piece of the rotation, has barely been available, appearing in only four games this season.
The veteran right-hander has been on the injured list since April 12, and that absence now carries real contract consequences. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Pivetta has to be back by Aug. 22 or the Padres will have the option to trigger an opt-out clause in his deal.
“San Diego Padres veteran starter Nick Pivetta, who has been out since the fourth start of the season, must return by Aug. 22 to avoid the Padres from having the option to trigger an opt-out clause in his contract,” Nightengale writes. “If he's not back by that day, which is 130 days from going on the IL, the Padres can void the last two years and $32 million of his contract.”
That’s the number looming over everything: $32 million over the final two years of the contract. If Pivetta is still sidelined on Aug.
22, San Diego can move on from that money. For a team dealing with the strain of big contracts already on the books, that kind of flexibility would matter.
The Padres could still choose to keep him, but the financial angle is obvious. If they do get the chance to void the deal, they’d have the option of reallocating that money elsewhere, whether that means another pitcher or another move this offseason.
Pivetta can also take the decision out of the Padres’ hands. If he returns by Aug. 22, the opt-out clause never comes into play, and the conversation changes completely.
For now, that date is the one to watch.
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