Padres' 33-year-old leaves start with concerning injury

Padres' 33-year-old leaves start with concerning injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Diego Padres looked to complete the sweep on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies and win their ninth game in 10 games. The Padres entrusted right-hander Nick Pivetta to get the job done Sunday afternoon, but he had to leave early with an apparent injury.

San Diego Padres Nick Pivetta leaves his start against the Colorado Rockies after cruising

Pivetta, 33, was cruising through three innings against the Rockies, allowing no hits, striking out four, and walking none. Sadly, for Pivetta, he would leave the game early after throwing a 92.2mph fastball to Rockies infielder Edouard Julien from the start, with “right elbow stiffness,” according to Padres beat reporter for MLB.com, AJ Cassavell.

More News:Angels: One bright spot in a struggling starting rotation

The Padres' Opening Day starter, Pivetta, previously experienced “arm fatigue” in spring training, which caused him to miss a start. Pivetta had gotten off to a slow start to the season — 1-2 with a 5.54 ERA — after finishing sixth in the National League Cy Young voting last season — 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA.

The Padres have options if Pivetta were to go on the injured list, with right-hander and knuckleballer Matt Waldron pitching in the minor leagues. Waldron has a 0.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.0 innings in El Paso.

More News:

• Mets replace struggling 39-year-old reliever with minor leaguer
• White Sox to promote two top prospects amid downturn
• Guardians Jose Ramirez continues to add to Hall of Fame resume
• Braves receive a positive update on former All-Star