Padres' Nick Pivetta is running out of time to earn $32 million contract

The San Diego Padres are having a bit of a rough 2026 season, going 48-50 coming out of the All-Star break, 14 games back in the NL West, and 3.5 games back in the NL Wild Card hunt.Part of why this season hasn't gone to plan is that the Padres have been without Nick Pivetta for much of the season. The veteran right-hander was meant to be a key part of the rotation, but he's pitched just four games this season.Pivetta's absence isn't just hurting the Padres, but also himself. As USA Today's Bob Nightengale highlighted, Pivetta is running out of time to earn his $32 million contract over the next two seasons, as he's a month from an opt-out coming into play.Nick Pivetta running out of time to earn $32M contract"San Diego Padres veteran starter Nick Pivetta, who has been out since the fourth