Nick Pivetta didn't just come back this week, he made a statement. After nearly five months out with an elbow injury, he returned Monday against the Nationals and threw 5 scoreless innings, picking up the win in a 3-2 Padres victory. His manager said afterward that Pivetta "exceeded all expectations, maybe including himself." Given the Padres' rotation has ranked 26th in MLB by WAR this season, getting back a pitcher who posted a 2.87 ERA last year, right as the Wild Card race tightens, is about as good as timing gets.
There's more good news on the pitching side: reliever Jason Adam has been out since early July with a shoulder strain, but he's progressing fast, throwing bullpen sessions and facing live hitters this week. San Diego's bullpen has been excellent even without him, but adding a trusted late-inning arm back into the mix right now only makes a dangerous group more dangerous
Two arms trending in exactly the right direction, right when it matters most.
Which returning player are you most excited to see back on the mound?