San Diego Padres News

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) will come off the 60-day injured list to start Monday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals at Petco Park, manager Craig Stammen told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. It will be Pivetta's first major-league outing since April 12. The 33-year-old veteran has been cleared to return to San Diego's starting rotation for the stretch run after throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in a minor-league rehab start on Aug. 30 with Triple-A El Paso. He was able to throw 64 pitches in that outing, and while Pivetta will be a part of the Friars' rotation as they seek a playoff spot in the National League, he will most likely be on a short leash in his return on Monday and therefore will not be a recommended streaming option for fantasy managers. Pivetta is currently rostered in 75% of Yahoo leagues despite having made only four starts in 2026. In those four starts, the Canadian hurler went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched. The 10-year MLB veteran had a career year in 2025 in his first year in SD, going 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in 181 2/3 innings across his 31 regular-season starts.

The San Diego Padres are set to call up top catching prospect Ethan Salas from Triple-A El Paso when rosters expand on Tuesday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound 20-year-old backstop is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Padres' top prospect and the No. 23 overall prospect in all of baseball. At the catching position, he is ranked as the No. 4 prospect, behind Rainiel Rodriguez (Cardinals), Vahn Lackey (Twins), and Alfredo Duno (Reds). Salas, who hits from the left side, has turned heads in 24 games with El Paso in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, slashing .326/.410/.539 with a .949 OPS, three homers, 24 RBI, 13 runs scored, and three steals. He began the year at Double-A San Antonio and hit .286 (74-for-259) with seven homers, 37 RBI, 14 steals, and 41 runs scored in 72 games for the Missions. There are still mixed reviews as to how high a ceiling Salas has offensively, and it is unclear how much he will play in San Diego, which already has catchers Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano on the major-league roster. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should not be expecting fireworks from Salas in September.

San Diego Padres catcher prospect Ethan Salas is on fire at Triple-A El Paso with three homers and 23 RBI in 86 at bats while hitting .326. The star left-handed hitter was called up to Triple-A on July 29 after hitting seven homers with 37 RBI at Double-A San Antonio in 259 at bats. Look for the 20-year-old to be a fantasy factor if he is to debut this season in San Diego. He is well worth stashing and waiting for a potential call-up to San Diego this season. Salas is the Padres' top overall prospect and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power and has the hitting tools to be successful right away in fantasy leagues at the catcher position. Right now the Padres have the catching duo of Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin but if Salas is to break through and get a look this year, he should be an instant fantasy success.

San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder Luis Rengifo (knee) was removed early during Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Rengifo was pulled late in the game due to a right knee sprain. He appeared to have suffered the injury while attempting a throw to home plate in the seventh inning. He finished this game 0-for-2 at the plate with a run scored and a walk. He's flying back to San Diego, where he'll undergo further evaluation. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Rengifo ends up getting placed on the Injured List. If that happens, Gavin Sheets and Austin Hays would be in line for increased playing time.

San Diego Padres utility man Luis Rengifo got off to a terrible start to the 2026 season while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting .205/.280/.254 with zero home runs across 209 plate appearances with Milwaukee. However, since being released by the Brewers and catching on with the Padres, Rengifo has turned his season around. Across 138 plate appearances with San Diego, the 29-year-old is slashing .306/.387/.430 with four home runs, 17 RBI, 18 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Rengifo does not profile as much of a power source for fantasy managers, as he owns a career barrel and hard-hit rates of 5.2% and 32.8%, respectively. However, he's struck out in just 14.1% of his plate appearances this season while posting a 9.5% walk rate. Rengifo can also lineup at every infield position other than shortstop and as a corner outfielder, which helps keep him in the San Diego lineup every day. As a depth piece in deeper fantasy leagues, Rengifo has value on the waiver wire.

San Diego Padres right-hander Casey Mize (ankle), who sprained his right ankle in his last outing on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins, came out of his bullpen session this week feeling good and will make the start on Friday on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, manager Craig Stammen told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Overall, Mize has had a strong 2026 season, his sixth in the majors, going 5-7 with a 3.44 ERA (4.15 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 95 strikeouts and 26 walks in 104 2/3 innings pitched across 20 starts with the Padres and Detroit Tigers. Injuries have still been an issue, though, and he has not exactly been trustworthy in his first four starts for the Friars since being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline at the start of August. Mize has a 7.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and seven walks in his first four starts with SD. He will not get an easy matchup coming off an ankle sprain either against the first-place Rays, who hold the sixth-best OPS (.732) in MLB. Mize is rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues with August nearly over.

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) restarted his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday at Single-A Lake Elsinore and allowed three earned runs on four hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out four in three innings of work. It was Pivetta's second rehab start after suffering a setback in his first outing with Lake Elsinore three weeks ago. His results in his return were not exactly great, but the good news is he avoided another setback with a right-forearm injury that has limited him to only four starts in 2026. The Padres are still holding out hope that the 33-year-old Canadian veteran can join their starting rotation at the big-league level for the stretch run in September, but he's running out of time to make a significant fantasy impact, and he will likely need at least a couple of more rehab starts before he's activated from the 60-day injured list. The 10-year MLB veteran went 13-5 in 2025 in his first year in SD with a career-best 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in his 31 starts. Pivetta is still being held in 65% of Yahoo leagues.

San Diego Padres catcher prospect Ethan Salas has excelled since being promoted to Triple-A El Paso in late July, now hitting .319 with three home runs and a .948 OPS through 19 games with the Chihuahuas. What's more is that the Padres' top-ranked prospect has walked (10) more times than he has struck out (eight) while being one of only a few 20-year-olds at that level. The left-handed hitter came into professional baseball as a highly-ranked prospect, but after a disappointing 2024 and an injury-marred 2025 in which he logged only 10 games, he had fallen outside the top 100 prospects, per MLB.com. However, the youngster has risen all the way back up to No. 23 overall in 2026 and is now on the doorstep to the majors. While a debut this season is likely a long shot, it isn't out of the question, so fantasy managers should keep tabs on the 20-year-old, as he offers an advanced approach with decent pop at the catcher position. His dynasty arrow is finally pointing up again after some uncertainty over the last couple of years.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (finger) has a bruise on the inside of his index finger, manager Craig Stammen told Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Machado's finger gets irritated when he hits a ball off the end of his bat. "He's got a little sleeve that he's going to wear now, and hopefully it's not something that lingers for very long," Stammen said. In the 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park in the series opener on Monday, Machado went 0-for-3 at the plate with two walks to drop his season average to .215 and his OPS to .711. While the 34-year-old seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner is hitting well below his career norms, he still does have 24 home runs, 72 RBI, and 65 runs scored in 129 games across 551 plate appearances in his 15th year in the league. His finger injury could be impacting his performance at the dish of late, as Machado has gone 18-for-82 (.220) with only one home run, a double, seven RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal in 22 games in August. It sounds like he will be in the lineup for Game 2 of the series against the Bucs on Tuesday evening in San Diego.

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) is set to make a rehab start with Single-A Lake Elsinore, per Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pivetta is currently on the 60-day injured list due to a flexor strain and last pitched for the Padres in mid-April. He previously made a start with Lake Elsinore on August 4, but was pulled early and had his rehab assignment put on pause. Roughly three weeks later, it appears Pivetta is feeling good enough to get back on the mound for live game action. The 33-year-old has had a lost season due to injury in 2026, but he was extremely productive in his first year with the Padres in 2025. Across 181 2/3 innings (31 starts), Pivetta recorded a 13-5 record with a 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts. If he can make his way back to the big leagues, Pivetta could impact fantasy leagues in the final few weeks of the regular season.

In 18 games with Triple-A El Paso, San Diego Padres catcher prospect Ethan Salas is hitting .338 with three homers and 20 RBI in an impressive showing since his July 29 promotion from Double-A San Antonio. The 20-year-old left-handed hitter is the top overall prospect in the Padres' system and is considered one of the top prospects in baseball. Considered an excellent fielder with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade power and the ability to play behind the plate, he is a can't miss prospect for the Padres. San Diego currently has Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin available at catcher and could just close the season out with those two. Salas would bring great upside to fantasy rosters this season, but he is more likely to debut next season and get some more time at Triple-A this season.

The San Diego Padres announced that right-hander Casey Mize (ankle) left his start early on Saturday at Petco Park against the Minnesota Twins with a sprained right ankle. Before being pulled, Mize struggled on the mound, allowing four earned runs on four hits (three home runs) while walking one and striking out none in 2 2/3 innings pitched. The 29-year-old's next scheduled start next weekend on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays is now up in the air and will depend on how he recovers over the next few days. The former first overall pick in 2018 from Auburn has gone 5-7 on the season with a 3.44 ERA (3.28 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with a career-high 139 strikeouts and 36 walks in 149 innings pitched across his 28 starts with the Padres and Detroit Tigers. Since being acquired by the Friars at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Mize has struggled in four starts for San Diego, allowing 14 earned runs on 21 hits (five homers) while walking seven and fanning 10 in 18 innings. If he is cleared to make his next start, he will have a difficult matchup on tap on the road against the first-place Rays.

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) had his minor-league rehab assignment paused after leaving an Aug. 4 outing at Single-A Lake Elsinore after only 14 pitches. He has continued to play catch and build his arm up, but his throwing program has been moved to the team's spring training complex in Arizona, per MLB.com. The 33-year-old veteran still has a chance to return for the final month of the regular season in September to help the Padres with their playoff push, but he is running out of time to make an impact for fantasy managers. After a breakout 2025 campaign in his first year in SD, Pivetta has made only four starts for the Friars this year and has been on the injured list since April 12 with a right-forearm/elbow issue. Pivetta will need to resume facing live hitters before the Padres even think about sending him back on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues. He is now rostered in only 67% of Yahoo leagues and will make only a handful of starts for the Padres again this year in a best-case scenario.

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) played catch again on Sunday at Petco Park after leaving his first minor-league rehab outing last week with Single-A Lake Elsinore with a right-elbow issue, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. The Padres have paused Pivetta's rehab assignment. They have tentative plans for Pivetta to throw a bullpen session, but it's unclear when that might happen. After a career year in 2025 in his first season with the Padres, the 33-year-old veteran has been on the injured list since April 14 with a right flexor strain. It sounds like the Padres are hoping to get Pivetta back before the end of the regular season, but for fantasy purposes, it's probably unlikely that we'll see him back in SD's starting rotation before the end of August. Pivetta is running out of time to help fantasy managers in 2026, but he's still rostered in almost 70% of Yahoo leagues despite having not pitched since April. UPDATE: Pivetta threw off a mound on Monday, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Jeff Sanders. He was not fully dressed, as is the norm for between-starts bullpen sessions, but he got off the mound.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, according to Sammy Levitt. Musgrove continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. His last rehab start was with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday. He might need one or two more starts before he's finally ready to make an impact in the Padres rotation. Fantasy managers should see Musgrove making his season debut in late August. Fantasy managers in need of pitching help down the stretch of the season should consider stashing Musgrove.

The San Diego Padres have signed outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year deal on Sunday, according to Ken Rosenthal. Hays was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. He went unclaimed and ended up hitting free agency, where the Padres wasted little time scooping him up. Hays only played 12 games for the White Sox this season, but he should be an upgrade in the outfield for the Padres. The 31-year-old crushes left-handed pitching and could push for an everyday role if he continues to hit consistently. He could be someone worth watching in deep leagues, assuming he gets regular playing time in San Diego.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (right elbow) will have his rehab progression paused for a few days after experiencing tightness during Tuesday's start with Single-A Lake Elsinore. Pivetta threw just 14 pitches before leaving the mound, although he was able to throw another 20-30 pitches in the bullpen afterward. He did not throw his scheduled bullpen Thursday and will not make his next rehab start on time while the Padres determine whether anything needs to change. The 33-year-old has been out since April with a flexor strain after going 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 16 innings. Pivetta posted a 2.87 ERA and finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting last season. There is no timetable for his next rehab appearance, so fantasy managers will have to keep waiting.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Robbie Ray is set to make his team debut against the Houston Astros on Friday. Ray is ready to take the mound after being acquired by the Padres during Monday's trade deadline. He should be well-rested with seven days off ahead of this start. The southpaw owns a 3.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 107/57 K/BB ratio across 22 games (21 starts) with the San Francisco Giants this season. He should bring some life to a Padres' pitching staff that has been crushed by injuries. The 34-year-old should be rostered in almost all fantasy formats at the moment.

San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France has quietly been one of the team's most consistent offensive producers this summer. He hit .326 (29-for-89) with a .966 OPS, six home runs, six doubles, 20 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 23 games and 100 plate appearances in July, and he's off to a good start so far in five games in August, going 6-for-20 (.300) with five runs scored for the Friars. The 32-year-old veteran's recent hot streak at the plate has boosted his season slash line to an impressive .288/.342/.520 with an .862 OPS, 16 home runs, 49 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a stolen base in 89 games played across 311 plate appearances in his eighth year in the big leagues. France is suddenly five home runs shy of setting a new career high in that category in his return to San Diego in 2026. While his .255 expected batting average and .331 xwOBA (current wOBA of .368) say that we've probably seen the best from France this year, he's still a decent corner-infield option for some pop in deep-mixed fantasy leagues while he's hot. After his red-hot stretch in July, he's now rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues.

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said that right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) had a normal day of recovery on Wednesday and threw out to 90 feet, according to Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan. Pivetta was checked out by doctors as an extra precaution, but Stammen said it sounds like it's "all systems forward" right now. The 33-year-old veteran walked off the mound abruptly in the middle of an at-bat in his first minor-league rehab appearance with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday due to tightness in his right elbow, but after throwing in the bullpen afterwards, he felt fine. Pivetta may have avoided a serious setback from a forearm/elbow injury that has limited him to just four starts in 2026. It looks like he will attempt to stay on schedule and make another rehab start. In a best-case scenario for Pivetta and the Padres, he'll return to SD's starting rotation by the end of the month as the Friars look to make a playoff push. When healthy, Pivetta showed last year that he can be the team's ace after going 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 190:50 K:BB in 31 regular-season starts in what was a career year in 2025.