Padres confirm Nick Pivetta’s personal catcher dealing with nagging injury

If it felt jarring to see a Nick Pivetta start without Elias Díaz squatting behind the plate, the Padres just supplied the why. San Diego confirmed Díaz is dealing with soreness in his left oblique and won’t be on the Wild Card Series roster — an abrupt twist given he’s been Pivetta’s personal catcher all year. 

The timeline snapped into focus Saturday night at Petco Park. After fouling a ball straight back in the bottom of the fourth, Díaz grimaced, reached for his left side, and was checked by the training staff. Moments later, he exited in favor of Fermin as San Diego finished off a 5–1 win over the Diamondbacks. Manager Mike Shildt characterized it as left-oblique soreness and a precautionary pull at the time, but precaution turned into postseason reality when the club finalized its roster without Díaz.

Padres shuffle catching plan after Elias Díaz injury ahead of Wild Card Series

The immediate question is battery chemistry. Pivetta will have to sync with a new receiver on short notice. Expect San Diego looked prepared, showing that they leaned into preparation as Fermin and Pivetta appeared in sync for much of their time working together in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs.

Their roster ripple went beyond the plate, too. Utility infielder Mason McCoy grabbed the final spot over left-hander Yuki Matsui, a choice that hints at how the Padres expect these games to play — tight, late, and matchup-heavy. McCoy’s value is immediate: premium infield coverage, a clean bunt, contact in a move-the-runner spot, and pinch-running insurance if the ninth inning turns chaotic. Short series magnify every 26th-man decision; San Diego chose range and versatility over one more bullpen look for this matchup.

Losing a personal catcher on the eve of October hurts, but the Padres didn’t stand still. They traded routine for optionality, betting on Fermin’s readiness, Campusano’s bat, and Maldonado’s steering hand can smooth the transition and keep Pivetta on script. In a Wild Card sprint where the line between hero and footnote is a single pitch, San Diego’s path forward is clear: tighten the edges, win the small moments, and let the arms and game plans carry the day while Díaz heals.

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