The Athletic's Dennis Lin writes that the San Diego Padres' four-year, $55 million deal with right-hander Nick Pivetta could increase the chances that the team retains right-hander Dylan Case, at least through the end of spring training.

Rumors have swirled all winter about the Padres trading a starting pitcher such as Dylan Cease or Michael King. Yesterday, they added to the rotation by agreeing to a deal with Nick Pivetta.

The San Diego Padres, quiet for so much of this offseason, finally struck Wednesday by agreeing to a four-year, $55 million contract with free-agent starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, league sources confirmed to The Athletic.