Padres Injury Update: Nick Pivetta waits, Samad Taylor begins rehab and Miguel Andujar starts swinging

The Padres’ injured list is definitely a bit of a crowded waiting room. But three players are finally trending in the right direction. Samad Taylor is headed for game action, Miguel Andujar is back to swinging a bat again and Nick Pivetta is still working his way back to getting on a major-league mound before the end of the season.

The developments are far from equal. Taylor appears closest to helping the Friars. Andujar and Pivetta remain the biggest questions attached to the biggest potential payoff. Here’s where everything stands.

Samad Taylor starts his rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso

Taylor is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso after missing more than a month with a right oblique strain.

The most tangible update in the bunch. Batting practice and running drills are nice. Getting in-game reps is big. Taylor injured his oblique on a swing in early July, interrupting a season in which the versatile utilityman had been a sparkplug in the lineup. He was slashing .330/.410/.398 with an .808 OPS and six stolen bases across 88 at-bats before landing on the IL.

There was always some regression that was to be expected. But that didn’t happen before he went down with the injury. Either way, the rehab assignment will determine how quickly that weapon returns to San Diego.

Nick Pivetta keeps throwing after his latest rehab setback

Pivetta is throwing and working through another buildup program at the Padres’ complex in Peoria, Arizona.

It’s progress, but we know this isn’t exactly where Pivetta wants to be in his development right now. His rehab assignment was paused after he exited an Aug. 4 appearance following only 14 pitches. His right elbow already cost him most of the season, and the latest setback erased whatever momentum he had built.

The Padres need the version of Pivetta who posted a 2.87 ERA across 181 2/3 innings in 2025. They currently have no firm return date for him, however, and that uncertainty matters more than another optimistic throwing update.

Miguel Andujar starts swinging again after his wrist fracture

Andujar is out of his splint and beginning a formal swing progression following a right wrist fracture.

Wrist injuries are brutal for hitters, and that’s his calling card. Andujar can run and field all he wants, but his value comes from driving the baseball. Getting cleared to swing is the update he needs.

A minor-league rehab assignment should follow once he progresses to full swings without discomfort. The Padres could use his right-handed bat, especially down the stretch.

TL;DR: Taylor is closest, Andujar is gaining ground and Pivetta remains the wild card.

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