Pivetta allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two over two innings in Thursday's spring start against the Yankees.
The Yankees made Pivetta work hard, spraying a lot of foul balls and elevating the right-hander's pitch count. His time on the mound included an 11-pitch at-bat against Aaron Judge and a couple of eight-pitch encounters. In between, there were a lot of balls outside the zone, and the right-hander threw just 28 of his 48 pitches for strikes. This being spring training, both Pivetta and manager Alex Cora accentuated the positives to Dawn Klemish of MLB.com. The pitcher said he felt good and could have gone further if not for the pitch count, and other than one at-bat, he felt it was "smooth sailing." Cora said it was a "step in the right direction" for Pivetta.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Makes spring debut
Rotowire
Pivetta allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over 1.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Astros.
Pivetta, who was making his Grapefruit League debut after being delayed due to illness, needed 43 pitches to get five outs. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe that Pivetta's curveball and fastball were good but location was an issue. Pivetta will be part of the team's rotation, likely slotting in third behind Chris Sale and Corey Kluber.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Set for spring debut Saturday
Rotowire
Pivetta (illness) will make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus the Astros, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Pivetta contracted COVID-19 shortly before the start of camp and has been eased into things so far. He won't be able to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic as hoped, but the veteran right-hander is on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Bows out of World Baseball Classic
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Pivetta (illness) won't pitch for the Canadian team during the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Pivetta contracted COVID-19 last week, and while he reported back to camp Tuesday and completed a throwing session, he hasn't bounced back from the illness quite as swiftly as he had hoped. Since he apparently wasn't convinced that he would be in top form by the time Canada begins playing in games, Pivetta will instead stick around at Red Sox camp and advance through a throwing program at a more comfortable pace. Though Pivetta's slow recovery from the illness is expected to delay his entry into the Grapefruit League pitching schedule, he still looks like a good bet to get built up in time for Opening Day.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Coming back from illness
Rotowire
Pivetta had to cut a workout short Friday due to illness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
The right-hander walked off the field with a trainer, but it's believed his stamina just isn't where it needs to be yet due to the unspecified illness. It sounds like Pivetta should be back in action in a day or two.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Settles with Boston
Rotowire
Pivetta signed a one-year, $5.35 million contract with the Red Sox on Friday to avoid arbitration, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Pivetta recorded a 4.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 2022, though he was still able to strike batters out at an effective rate and made 33 starts for Boston. He has almost never battled injury over the last two seasons, making him a solid rotation piece to have, although consistent production may be harder to ask of him.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Shaky versus Rays
Rotowire
Pivetta pitched four innings, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters in Wednesday's win over the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
Pivetta tossed two scoreless innings to open Wednesday's outing before he surrendered a two-run homer to Ji-Man Choi in the third frame. The long ball accounted for all the damage on the the right-hander's line, though he allowed seven batters to reach base. Pivetta limped to the finish of the 2022 campaign, producing a 6.29 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over his final five outings. He finished with a 4.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while striking out 175 batters over 179.2 innings in 33 starts this season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Fans seven in win
Rotowire
Pivetta (10-11) yielded three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Royals.
Pivetta gave up a run in each of the first two innings and eventually served up a solo shot to Salvador Perez in the fifth frame. The 29-year-old righty was 0-2 with a 4.50 over his previous five outings since his last victory Aug. 16. He's now sporting a 4.35 ERA with a 160:63 K:BB across 30 starts this season. Pivetta is lined up for a road matchup with the Yankees next week.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Allows three homers in no-decision
Rotowire
Pivetta did not factor into the decision Tuesday's extra-inning loss against the Yankees, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.
Pivetta threw four clean innings but was damaged by the home run. He allowed a two-run shot off the bat of Marwin Gonzalez in the third and a solo homer from Aaron Judge in the sixth before he was pulled with one out and two runners on base. Pivetta has been inconsistent this season, as he has surrendered three or more runs in 13 of his 29 starts, including five starts of five or more runs. However, he still owns a manageable 4.29 ERA through 160.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Pitches well in loss
Rotowire
Pivetta (9-11) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over five innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out three.
Pivetta allowed two doubles -- one from Francisco Mejia and the other from Taylor Walls -- in addition to an RBI single from Walls with one out in the fifth. The righty has pitched six innings or more just twice in his last 12 starts. Pivetta's 4.29 ERA in 2022 isn't anything special but represents a career best in six major-league seasons.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Likely to make next start
Rotowire
Pivetta (calf) will likely be able to make his next start, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Pivetta exited Friday's matchup with a left calf contusion and was limping heavily after the game, but it doesn't appear as though he'll be forced to spend time on the injured list. The right-hander will be monitored over the coming days, but manager Alex Cora believes he will make his next scheduled start on the road against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Diagnosed with left calf contusion
Rotowire
Pivetta was removed from Friday's game against the Rangers due to a left calf contusion, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Pivetta sustained his injury while fielding a grounder in the top of the third inning Friday, and he was replaced to begin the fourth frame. The right-hander will presumably be monitored further before the Red Sox determine his status for his next start. If Pivetta is cleared to pitch, he tentatively lines up to start on the road against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Exits with apparent injury
Rotowire
Pivetta exited Friday's start against the Rangers after the third inning due to an apparent lower body injury, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Pivetta fielded a grounder to make the second out in the top of the third inning and was able to remain on the mound to finish the frame, but he limped off the field and was ultimately replaced to begin the fourth. Prior to his departure, he allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out two in three innings. The extent of his injury isn't yet known, and it's unclear whether he'll be able to make his next start.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Tagged for five runs
Rotowire
Pivetta (9-10) allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Rays.
Pivetta never found a groove Sunday as he coughed up five runs, matching the total from his previous three starts combined. He was taken deep twice by Isaac Paredes, accounting for three of those runs. The 29-year-old righty saw his season ERA climb to 4.40 with a 143:54 K:BB through 26 starts. Pivetta is lined up to face the Rangers at home next week.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Strikes out nine Sunday
Rotowire
Pivetta allowed two runs on six hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out nine over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Sunday.
Both runs against Pivetta came in the first inning. He fell one out short of his third straight quality start, though he also left in line for the loss before Franchy Cordero tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth inning. Pivetta has pitched to a 4.24 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 139:51 K:BB through 142.1 innings through 25 starts this year. The right-hander is projected for a home start versus the Rays next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Throws seven scoreless innings
Rotowire
Pivetta (9-9) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one hit and three walks over seven scoreless innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out six.
Pivetta cruised through the Pittsburgh lineup Tuesday, allowing just four runners on base in seven innings of work. This marks the first time the veteran righty has not allowed a run since June 4, as he brought his ERA down to 4.28 on the season. He tentatively lines up to face the Orioles in Baltimore this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Sleeper pitchers for Week 20 (Aug. 15-21)
Rotowire
Pivetta has been anything but reliable this year, but he's hopefully trending the right way with a quality start last time out. If you're committed to maximizing volume, it's reason enough to gamble on two favorable matchups at Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Takes loss despite solid effort
Rotowire
Pivetta (8-9) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a 8-4 loss against Atlanta. He struck out five.
Aside from a two-out, three-run homer from the struggling Marcell Ozuna, Pivetta held Atlanta in check all night. However, his offense couldn't keep him in the game as he earned his ninth loss of the campaign. Across his last four starts (21.2 innings), Pivetta has allowed 28 hits, 11 runs and eight walks, but he does have 20 strikeouts during that stretch. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's matchup in Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Permits three runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Pivetta didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's 7-3 loss to Kansas City, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts in five innings.
Pivetta was given a two-run lead before he took the mound but gave it right back by surrendering two of his own on two hits in the bottom of the inning while allowing another run on three baserunners in the fifth. Aside from a one-run outing July 25, the 29-year-old has allowed at least three runs in each of his last six starts and has seen his ERA balloon from 3.23 to 4.51 as a result. In addition to 4.51 ERA, Pivetta carries a 1.33 WHIP with 119 strikeouts in 123.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come midweek against Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Takes loss in ineffective outing
Rotowire
Pivetta (8-8) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.
Pivetta tied a season-worst mark by yielding nine hits in the contest, and he allowed multiple baserunners in each of his five frames. Five of the knocks against him went for extra bases and two left the park, marking the third time in his past four appearances that the right-hander has surrendered multiple homers. Pivetta carried a 3.23 ERA through his first 16 starts, but that number has ballooned to 4.47 with multiple blow-ups over his past five outings.
