Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Possible waiver wire pickups
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With his 10 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings Monday, Pivetta now has a 2.27 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 14.2 K/9 in his past seven appearances. I've been around a while, I'm familiar with the Nick Pivetta experience, and I'm fairly certain that this latest rendition ends much the same way, with broken hearts and bloated ERAs. But it's August. The waiver wire is tapped out at starting pitcher. What's available is all pretty volatile, so why single out Pivetta, who at least for the moment is looking outright dominant? True, much of it has come as a bulk reliever -- Monday's outing was his first true start during this stretch -- but his success hasn't been contingent on shorter outings. Not only did he go 7 1/3 innings this time but he also had a six-inning outing in which he allowed no hits and struck out 13.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Strikes out 10 in loss
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Pivetta dropped to 7-6 on the season after allowing three runs on five hits and striking out 10 without walking a batter over 7.1 innings in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Mariners.
Pivetta had spent much of the last month-plus in a bulk-relief role, but he looked pretty good as a starter Monday. Two of the five hits he allowed were home runs to Cal Raleigh, and Pivetta was also on the hook for the first run of the Mariners' eighth-inning rally. He allowed just seven runs (six earned) over 28.1 innings across six appearances in July. For the season, Pivetta has a 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 110:34 K:BB through 88.1 innings over 26 appearances (nine starts). It's unclear if he's free from working behind an opener, but his next outing should be at home versus the Blue Jays this weekend.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Set to start Monday
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Pivetta will start Monday's game against the Mariners, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.
Pivetta was an option to pitch behind opener Brennan Bernardino during Sunday's game against the Giants, but he didn't enter the game and will instead serve as the starter for Monday's series opener in Seattle. Over his last three outings, the right-hander has struck out 19 in 12 scoreless innings.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Could follow opener Sunday
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Pivetta could pitch behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Sunday's game against the Giants, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Pivetta delivered five scoreless frames of bulk relief Tuesday against Atlanta, lining him up to potentially take the mound for Sunday's series finale in San Francisco. Boston's full pitching plans haven't been confirmed, but the right-hander has been excellent out of the bullpen this season with a 1.98 ERA over 41 innings and is a decent bet to take the mound after Bernardino.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Works inning out of 'pen
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Pivetta struck out a batter over a perfect seventh inning Saturday in the Red Sox's 8-6 win over the Mets.
After striking out 13 over six innings out of the bullpen Monday against the Athletics, Pivetta had been expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Sunday's series finale with the Mets. Instead, the Red Sox opted to work Pivetta back into the mix a day early, with the right-hander tossing 15 pitches en route to retiring the side. According to Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican, Pivetta is still expected to be available out of the bullpen Sunday, though Chris Murphy profiles as the most likely option to serve as a bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Following opener again Sunday
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Pivetta is expected to work in a bulk-reliever role again Sunday versus the Mets, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Pivetta looked sharp while following opener Brennan Bernardino in Monday's victory over the Athletics, fanning 13 over six scoreless frames while claiming the win. Though Pivetta looks as though he's recaptured a rotation spot, the Red Sox will keep the right-hander in the bullpen for his next appearance as a primary pitcher behind an opener. "At one point, probably, he needs to start because we're going to play (16) in a row," stated manager Alex Cora. "For now, this is the structure we like."
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Dominant as bulk reliever
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Pivetta (6-5) earned the win Monday over the Athletics, allowing two walks while striking out 13 over six no-hit, shutout innings.
Pivetta, along with opener Brennan Bernardino and reliever Chris Martin, combined for a one-hit shutout win. This was Pivetta's longest outing since his move to the bullpen in May -- he threw 58 of 87 pitches for strikes. While the opponent was likely a factor, he's been solid lately, allowing six runs (five earned) over his last 21.2 innings with a 38:7 K:BB in that span. The right-hander owns a 4.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 94:33 K:BB through 75 innings overall. He'll likely continue in a bulk-relief role, and he should be available to pitch over the weekend versus the Mets at some point.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Fans eight in win
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Pivetta (5-5) yielded three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk over five innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over Oakland.
Pivetta came out of the bullpen in the third inning and was solid in a bulk relief role, aside from the two-run shot he coughed up to Seth Brown in the seventh. Since moving to the bullpen in May, Pivetta has posted a 2.79 ERA with a 39:12 K:BB through 29 frames. With his recent success, he'll likely maintain his role following openers for the time being.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Staying in bulk relief role
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Pivetta will remain in a bulk relief role, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.
Pivetta has been building up his pitch count effectively, even covering five innings behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Friday's 7-3 win over the Athletics. There was talk of Pivetta starting Sunday's first-half finale versus Oakland, but Cora likes the versatility he provides out of the bullpen.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Building up to pitch Sunday
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said they are building up Pivetta's pitch count ahead of a potential start Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
With Garrett Whitlock (elbow) joining Chris Sale (scapula) and Tanner Houck (facial fracture) on the injured list this week, the Red Sox are limited in the rotation. Pivetta has been a revelation since moving from the rotation to the bullpen in May, and Cora has been reluctant to use him as a starter, feeling his pitch mix plays better in relief. At this point, however, the Red Sox need bulk innings, and keeping Pivetta in the bullpen is a luxury.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Makes case for rotation
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Pivetta allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six over four relief innings in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays.
The Red Sox needed bulk innings out of Pivetta after starter Garrett Whitlock couldn't make it to the second inning due to elbow tightness. Whitlock will undergo an MRI on Monday and could join injured starters Chris Sale (shoulder) and Tanner Houck (facial fracture) on the injured list. Corey Kluber (shoulder), who was demoted to the bullpen, is also on the IL. With dwindling starter options, Boston could return Pivetta to the rotation. He's sparkled in relief, posting a 2.63 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 24 innings out of the bullpen. Five of his 13 relief appearances have lasted at least three innings.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Sharp in bulk role
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Pivetta (4-5) allowed two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out seven over 3.1 relief innings Wednesday, taking the loss as Boston fell 6-2 to Miami.
The Red Sox scheduled a bullpen game with Kaleb Ort throwing the first two innings followed by Pivetta, who retired 10 of the first 11 batters faced before back-to-back walks in the sixth inning. At that point, rain fell and the game was delayed. When play resumed, Josh Winckowski and poor infield defense -- a common theme for Boston in 2023 -- conspired to let both of Pivetta's runners score. A former member of the starting rotation, the right-hander has thrived in a long-relief role, posting a 2.16 ERA with 18 strikeouts and seven walks over 16.2 innings (11 appearances).
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Picks up win in matinee
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Pivetta (4-4) earned the win in Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Yankees, striking out four over three hitless innings.
Pivetta was excellent Sunday, blanking the Yankees for three innings to grab his first win since May 16. The 30-year-old Pivetta has found success in a relief role, pitching to a 2.20 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 16.1 innings since moving to the bullpen. Overall, he sports a 5.11 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB across 56.1 innings this season.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Shines in relief role
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Pivetta allowed two hits and struck out three over three scoreless relief innings in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Arizona.
The Diamondbacks tattooed starter Tanner Houck and were in position to run away, but Pivetta gave the Red Sox a chance to come back with his best relief appearance since moving to the bullpen. In three outings as a reliever, Pivetta has a 3.24 ERA with nine strikeouts and zero walks over 8.1 innings.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Makes first relief appearance
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Pivetta allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over 2.1 relief innings in Sunday's 7-0 loss to San Diego.
Pivetta made his first relief appearance since being removed from the starting rotation last Wednesday. Speculation about Pivetta moving to the bullpen bubbled up for a couple of weeks, and the right-hander bristled when asked about the potential move, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. He's struck a more accepting tone after being told last week the move was official. "I just got moved to the bullpen so that's where I belong and that's where I am," Pivetta said. "I'm going to show up there for my teammates out there and go out and do my job." Pivetta has a 6.30 ERA as a starter, including an 8.10 mark in his last six starts.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Stumbles into win Tuesday
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Pivetta (3-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 9-4 victory over the Mariners, giving up four runs on six hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.
It wasn't pretty, but Pivetta pitched just well enough to benefit from the run support Boston's hitters provided. The right-hander threw only 58 of 98 pitches for strikes before exiting, and he's issued multiple free passes in six of his eight starts this season while serving up at least one homer in seven of them. That dangerous combination has led to a 6.30 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 40 innings, and he'll be a volatile fantasy option in his next outing, likely to come on the road early next week against the Angels.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Burned by Atlanta
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Pivetta (2-3) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and three walks over four innings as the Red Sox were downed 9-3 by Atlanta. He struck out two.
The right-hander also hit a batter and uncorked a wild pitch in an erratic outing that saw him throw only 52 of 90 pitches for strikes. Pivetta has served up at least one homer and given up at least three earned runs in five straight starts, leaving him with a 6.23 ERA and 1.47 WHIP on the season. With James Paxton (hamstring) set to join the rotation this weekend, someone from the group of Pivetta, Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello figures to lose their spot, but it's not yet clear what Boston's plans are for its staff. Pivetta is the only one of the three who doesn't have minor-league options remaining, however, so despite his struggles he likely isn't going anywhere.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Evens record with victory
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Pivetta (2-2) earned the win over Toronto on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings.
Pivetta was dinged for a solo home run in each of the second and third innings, but he gave up only one additional run and completed a season-high six innings to notch his first quality start of the campaign. The right-hander racked up 14 swinging strikes and punched out six batters, marking the fourth time in six starts that he's reached the latter total. Pivetta was tagged for six runs in a start against the Angels on April 15, but he's given up four runs or fewer in each of his other outings this season.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Picks up first win of season
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Pivetta (1-1) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out seven.
Pivetta rebounded nicely after giving up six runs to the Angels in his last start. The 30-year-old delivered his longest outing of the season Friday, and he picked up two strikeouts in the sixth inning before being lifted out one short of a quality start after his only walk of the night. Pivetta's seven punchouts pumped him up to a 23:9 K:BB and helped lower his ERA to 4.58 in 19.2 innings.
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Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Gives up six runs in no-decision
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Pivetta did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over four innings during a 9-7 win over the Angels. He struck out four.
Pivetta struggled out of the gate and allowed a grand slam to Gio Urshela in the first inning, but he was able to settle down and tossed three scoreless frames before getting into trouble again in the fifth. After giving up three consecutive hits, including an RBI single to Anthony Rendon that cut Boston's lead to 6-5, Pivetta was pulled in favor of Kaleb Ort, who surrendered a game-tying knock to Urshela. Coming into the contest, Pivetta had allowed just one earned run over his first two starts (10 innings), but Saturday's poor outing raised his ERA to 4.50.
