September 7, 2026
By Kevin Glew
Cooperstowners in Canada
Some Canadian baseball news and notes from the past 24 hours:
Pivetta to be activated by Padres
Right-hander Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) will be activated by the San Diego Padres today to start against the Washington Nationals.
Pivetta has been sidelined since April 14 with right elbow inflammation (later diagnosed as a flexor strain). The 33-year-old Canadian, who was the Padres’ Opening Day starter, made just four starts this season before suffering the injury.
On August 30, the 6-foot-5 right-hander started and allowed just two hits, while striking out seven, in 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a rehab start with the triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. This came just five days after he threw three innings in a rehab outing for the Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm.
Pivetta was cleared to return after throwing a bullpen session at Petco Park this weekend.
The Canuck righty should give the Padres a boost in their battle with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third and final National League Wild Card spot.
The Victoria Eagles and Junior National Team grad put together the finest of his 10 MLB seasons with the Padres last year when he went 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 31 starts.
Tong called up by Mets
Right-hander Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) was called up by the New York Mets on Sunday and he’ll start for the big league club against the Miami Marlins today.
In August, the 22-year-old right-hander was outstanding with the triple-A Syracuse Mets, posting a 2.39 ERA in five starts. He had 26 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings and held opponents to a .170 batting average.
In total, the Toronto Mets alum went 5-6 with a 4.54 ERA in 23 triple-A starts this season.
Tong also registered a 3.60 ERA in three starts for the big league Mets earlier this season.
He made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2025, posting a 7.71 ERA in five starts.
The Mets plan to give Tong an extended look in the starting rotation before the end of the campaign.
Canadian MLB debuts on September 7
1979 – Right-hander Gordie Pladson (New Westminster, B.C.) made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning in relief in the Astros’ 9-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at the Astrodome.
1999 – Right-hander Aaron Myette (New Westminster, B.C.) made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox. He pitched two innings in relief in the White Sox 14-1 loss to the Angels. He struck out Mo Vaughn for his first MLB K in the sixth inning.
2013 – Left-hander James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners. He started and allowed just one run in six innings and earned the win in the Mariners’ 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field.
Dempster vs. Gagne
Twenty-seven years ago today, two former Canadian Junior National Team roommates faced off in what Miami Herald sportswriter Mike Phillips hailed as “perhaps the best pitched game at Pro Player Stadium this season.”
Fresh off being named the Texas League (double-A) Pitcher of the Year, Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) started and made his major league debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers against his 1993 and 1994 Junior National Team teammate Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, B.C.) who was making his 32nd big league start.
The two Canadians combined to toss 13 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, neither got a decision in the Marlins’ eventual 2-1 win.
“Those long lines at the Air Canada ticket counters this morning at airports around the country came from dozens of major league scouts heading to Canada to find young pitchers,” Phillips wrote in his game story in the Miami Herald the next morning. “Just kidding, but you couldn’t blame anyone for wanting to find more kids like Eric Gagne and Ryan Dempster . . . “
After a one hour and 21-minute rain delay, Dempster took the mound for the Marlins that night and proceeded to shut down the Dodgers’ lineup that included Gary Sheffield and Adrian Beltre for seven innings. The 22-year-old righty allowed just four hits and struck out seven and threw 73 of his 113 pitches for strikes.
It was the 32nd and, to that point, best start of his young major league career.
Not to be outdone, Gagne, with friends and family members in the crowd of 13,644 at Pro Player Stadium, hurled six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, while striking out eight. Only one ball left the infield while the 23-year-old Canadian was on the mound — a first inning single by Mark Kotsay.
Showcasing a 93-mph fastball, a sharp changeup and a curveball, Gagne dominated the Marlins. Of his 100 pitches, he threw 67 for strikes.
For good measure, Gagne also singled up the middle in his first major league at bat against Dempster in the top of the third inning.
“This is like a dream come true,” Gagne told reporters after the game. “I always believed I could pitch here, I have a lot of confidence, but to do this and get a hit too – it’s awesome!”
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