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Pivetta (0-1) took the loss Thursday versus Detroit, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four batters over three innings.
On the heels of his career-best 2025 campaign, Pivetta was awarded his first MLB Opening Day start. However, things didn't go well for the right-hander, as he gave up more earned runs Thursday than he did in all but one outing last year. Pivetta struggled from the get-go, giving up four runs in the first frame. His control was largely to blame -- Pivetta served up three free passes in that opening inning. He'll try to turn things around in his second start, which is tentatively slated to come at home against San Francisco next week.
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Padres' Nick Pivetta: Receives Opening Day assignment
Rotowire
The Padres announced Pivetta as their starting pitcher for Thursday's season opener versus the Tigers at Petco Park.
The decision on an Opening Day starter came down to Pivetta and Michael King, with the former earning the nod on the back of his career-best season in 2025. The 33-year-old righty closed the regular season with a 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 190:50 K:BB across 181.2 frames, then went on to strike out nine batters and allow two earned runs in five innings in his lone postseason start. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Pivetta dealt with some arm fatigue in the early stages of spring training but was able to get stretched out to 71 pitches and four innings Friday in his final start of camp. He should be ready to handle something close to a typical workload in the opener.
Padres' Nick Pivetta: Has rocky first spring start
Rotowire
Pivetta completed two innings in a Cactus League game against the Reds on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter.
Pivetta gave up a triple in the first inning but held Cincinnati scoreless. However, he was touched up for three runs in the second frame as a result of issuing two walks and giving up two hits. Pivetta threw just 22 of 38 pitches for strikes, but a rough outing near the start of spring for a veteran pitcher shouldn't cause fantasy managers to be concerned. The right-hander is coming off arguably his best MLB campaign and is locked in near the top of San Diego's rotation for 2026.
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