Pivetta not looking back
‘Grateful’ for chance to start for Sox
Alex Cora doesn’t want Nick Pivetta to feel like he has something to prove, and it doesn’t sound like the Red Sox right-hander has a chip on his shoulder, either.
The Red Sox traded for Pivetta last August in the deal that sent Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to Philadelphia, and he’s projected to start the season as the No. 5 starter. But after spending four seasons with the Phillies, where he produced a 5.40 ERA as he only started 15 games over 2019 and 2020, the 28-year-old Pivetta isn’t looking back, just focused on his new chance.
“I’m very grateful that the Red Sox wanted me as a starting pitcher,” Pivetta said. “I think I’ve said that before, but that’s really important for me because that’s what I value myself as. I can help a team do that, and I put myself in that position. You just go with it. It’s part of the business, part of the game. You get moved around. It’s just, when a team goes out and gets you and gets some guys and they value you at the position you value yourself at, it’s really important. It’s a really big confidence booster as well.”
Though he gave up a home run in his first start of the spring in the Red Sox’ 14-6 win over the Twins on Wednesday, Pivetta is feeling good about himself.
After heading to the alternate site after being traded last season, he made two starts for the Red Sox in the last week of the year and went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings. That momentum seemed to translate to his work this winter and early this spring training. On Wednesday, his fastball velocity averaged 95 mph and topped out at 96, and he felt good about his pitches.
“I’ve definitely taken a lot of steps forward from when I was at the alternate site to now,” Pivetta said. “I worked really, really hard in the weight room this offseason, worked hard on my mechanics, worked on how I delivered pitches, commanding my pitches better, game-planning better all in all. So I’d say a lot better. I’d say I’m in a really good position right now. I’m feeling really confident.”
Sawamura arrives
After a lengthy wait, Hirokazu Sawamura is finally in Fort Myers and pitching with the Red Sox.
The Japanese pitcher, who the Red Sox officially signed in mid-February, landed in Florida late last week after visa issues delayed his arrival from Japan. Sawamura had to wait a little longer as he went through intake testing and adjusted to the time difference before joining his new team at the facility Tuesday morning. On Wednesday morning, he pitched for the first time in Red Sox garb as he completed his first-ever bullpen session in the United States.
“I was so excited but at the same time I was a little bit nervous,” Sawamura said, via translator Yutaro Yamaguchi.
It’s unclear when Sawamura will pitch in spring training games, but he continued to work out while in Japan and as a reliever, he shouldn’t need much time to build up. He said he’ll throw another bullpen soon and then talk to pitching coach Dave Bush about what’s next.
“I’m healthy,” Sawamura said. “I’m in good condition. If I can make progress quickly, that would be great.”
Triple-A delay ‘smart’
The start of the Triple-A season, which was scheduled to begin April 6, will be delayed until early May, according to a report Tuesday by ESPN, which Cora agrees with.
“I had a feeling that was going to be the case,” Cora said. “You need X amount of players to play in Triple-A and some of those players are back home. They’re not here. So it’s the smart thing to do.”
The Worcester Red Sox’ inaugural season is now tentatively scheduled to begin May 4 at Buffalo, with their home opener at Polar Park slated for May 11 against Syracuse. It’s expected that Polar Park will be the location for the Red Sox’ alternate training site during April, as players will train in preparation for the season and stay ready in case they need to be called up to Boston.
Mata scratched
Bryan Mata, the Red Sox’ top pitching prospect, was scheduled to pitch Wednesday but was scratched due to soreness on the backside of his triceps. Cora doesn’t believe it’s serious but said that he’ll have an MRI today.
“He’s very important for us,” Cora said. “We’re making sure we slow it down the right way. Hopefully he can get on the mound sooner rather than later.” …
After the Red Sox’ 14-6 win over the Twins on Wednesday, Cora opened his postgame press conference by expressing his thoughts for Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who’s taking an immediate leave of absence to have surgery to receive a pacemaker.
“He’s one of my best friends in baseball,” Cora said. “We were teammates at ESPN and I know he’s going to be fine and we’re going to get back to competing again. Looking forward to seeing him in New York.” …
New outfielder Franchy Cordero is expected to join the Red Sox today after he gets his intake results. Cora said there will be some catching up for him to do after his arrival was delayed due to his placement on the COVID-19 list.