Nick Pivetta was a steadying presence in what became a season of turmoil for the Padres’ rotation last year. He made 31 starts, turned in the best season of his career and was rewarded with a start in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Clearly, the Padres are hoping for more of the same from Pivetta in 2026. On Monday, they named him their Opening Day starter.
It’s the first career Opening Day nod for Pivetta, who had largely struggled to live up to his potential before he signed with the Padres in February 2025. Pivetta will be facing quite a challenge against the Tigers on Thursday afternoon at Petco Park. He’ll go head-to-head with two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
“Just grateful for the opportunity,” Pivetta said. “I’m excited -- excited to get out of Arizona and just start the season off in sunny San Diego.”
Beyond Pivetta, Padres manager Craig Stammen named his full Opening Weekend rotation. Here are the probables for that series against the Tigers:
• Thursday (1:10 p.m. PT): Skubal vs. Pivetta
• Friday (6:40 p.m. PT): Framber Valdez vs. Michael King
• Saturday (5:40 p.m. PT): Jack Flaherty vs. Randy Vásquez
Pivetta got the nod over King, who was last year’s Opening Day starter. Right-hander Joe Musgrove is slated to open the season on the injured list as he works his way back from October 2024 Tommy John surgery.
The Padres were the final team to announce their Opening Day starter -- potentially because of some arm fatigue Pivetta dealt with early in camp. But he has since returned and made a couple of starts, and he says that hasn’t been an issue.
Pivetta was always the obvious choice to take the ball Thursday. He posted a 2.87 ERA last season with 190 strikeouts, finishing sixth in voting for the NL Cy Young Award.
“He was our best pitcher throughout the whole entire last season,” said Stammen. “He was our No. 1 starter when we took on the Cubs in the Wild Card Series. He has pitched great in Spring Training and deserves to get the Opening Day nod.”
Márquez, Johnson make the roster
The Padres made a series of roster cuts late Sunday night that effectively settled their rotation and bench races.
They’d already named Walker Buehler as a starter in their season-opening rotation, and right-hander Germán Márquez will join him. (Stammen hasn’t yet set an order for his No. 4 and 5 starters.)
The Padres also recently informed Ty France that he’d made the club, leaving one place available on their bench. That spot will go to outfielder Bryce Johnson, with a handful of other options -- including José Miranda and Jase Bowen -- reassigned to the Minors.
Johnson and Márquez were always heavy favorites for those two places. Márquez was one of the few in the rotation mix who entered camp on a big league deal. Johnson, meanwhile, is capable of backing up in center field and was serviceable in that capacity last year.
Bowen and Miranda were both spring standouts. But Miranda’s fit wasn’t clear; the Padres already have plenty of righty-hitting infielders. Meanwhile, Bowen might’ve had a better shot if he were vying for a starting role. As backups go, the Padres liked the glove and versatility of Johnson.
Only bullpen spots remain
Only one roster question lingers as the Padres return to San Diego: They must decide upon the final spots in their bullpen.
Jason Adam pitched a perfect seventh inning with one strikeout in Monday’s Cactus League finale, a 10-3 win over the Mariners at Peoria Stadium. It remains unclear whether he’ll open the season on the IL as he works his way back from left quad surgery last September. Adam has pitched in only two spring games. But after his previous outing, he indicated he felt that would be enough.
If Adam is on the roster, the Padres would have two places available in their ‘pen. If he’s not, they’d have three. Bradgley Rodriguez, Kyle Hart and Ron Marinaccio would fill those spots if Adam starts on the IL. If he’s healthy, one of that trio would be sent down.