Pivetta returns today
Martinez scratched late once again
It was just more than a year ago when the Red Sox made a trade with the Phillies for Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold, a pair of pitchers at different stages of their career but both viewed to have a lot of potential.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
A year later, they’re both starting meaningful games in September on back-toback days under some unique circumstances as the Red Sox try to get through their COVID-19 outbreak. Pivetta, who’s been a mainstay in the rotation all season, is expected to return from the COVID19 related injured list to start Sunday’s finale against the White Sox, while Seabold was making his major-league debut on Saturday.
Pivetta tested positive for COVID-19 last Monday but was feeling well enough to join the team in Chicago on Saturday and return before the usual 10-day isolation period. He was initially slated to start Saturday, but with Chris Sale, who was supposed to start Sunday, testing positive for COVID, Seabold started Saturday to give Pivetta an extra day.
Pivetta couldn’t do much while isolated over the last week, but was able to get some work in on Saturday and manager Alex Cora was confident he could start. Pivetta owned a 10.13 ERA in his last three starts before testing positive, and Cora is hopeful he can turn it around over the final weeks of the season.
“Some of these guys are going to benefit, if you see it the positive way,” Cora said. “We never want any of these guys to get COVID, but maybe it’s going to benefit him. Reset, and help us get into October.”
Martinez out again
J.D. Martinez, who was a late scratch from Friday’s lineup with back spasms, was back in the lineup on Saturday. But his pregame work apparently didn’t go well because he was scratched again about an hour before first pitch.
The Red Sox are being cautious with Martinez, especially with less than a month left in the season and in the thick of a playoff race.
“I talked to him last night and today and said, ‘We need you healthy. If you can’t go today, it’s not a big deal. I’d rather lose you for two days than lose you for a week,’” Cora said.
Yet another positive
Danny Santana tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports, and was placed on the IL about an hour before first pitch as the Red Sox’ outbreak continued. Santana was also on the COVID-19 IL last week, but was only experiencing symptoms and did not test positive. Jack Lopez was recalled to fill his place.
Eleven Red Sox players have now tested positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 27.
In other COVID-related news: Matt Barnes, who had joined the team in Chicago and threw a bullpen there, will go on a rehab assignment in Worcester. Barnes and Martin Perez will both pitch in Sunday’s game, and Barnes will likely need two games before returning to the Red Sox, so he’ll most likely come back next weekend.
“Barnes was here yesterday, threw a bullpen and felt like he needs to go face some hitters,” Cora said. “That’s the best for him and the best for the team.”
Hirokazu Sawamura also threw a bullpen on Friday, but they don’t know what the next step with him is yet.
“There’s a few things we have to make sure we get clear medically,” Cora said. “Nothing to be alarmed of, but part of the process. So obviously on the road is a little different than home so we’re going through that and we’ll see where we’re at.”
Jarren Duran is feeling better, Cora said. The rookie outfielder is nearing the end of his 10-day quarantine after testing positive on Sept. 3. Cora said Christian Arroyo is also feeling better, but there’s no timetable on his return yet after he was hit hard with COVID.
“There’s a few things with him with the way he felt throughout,” Cora said. “We have to make sure he’s OK.”
Santana was added to the COVID-19 IL on Saturday for the second time in the last week.
Dalbec stays on time
Bobby Dalbec started getting hot at the beginning of August and he hasn’t slowed down since. The first baseman entered Saturday with a 1.198 OPS since July 31, the highest in the majors. Cora believes it’s all rooted in his improved timing on his swings.
“When you do that and you recognize pitches, your swing decisions are a lot better,” Cora said. “You’re not late. When you’re late, you make every pitch the same. The fastball, the breaking ball, the changeup, every pitch makes the same.
Now there’s separation. And you can see it. He lands, he sees and he reacts. He’s been able to pull the ball with power and the quality of the at-bats are much, much better. …
“It’s been a grind. He had expectations coming into the season and at the end, it’s 162 and what he’s doing now, if you told me before the season that at this stage, he’s going to have these numbers, you take it, right? You take it.”
Cora didn’t rule out the chance that Kyle Schwarber’s presence after he was acquired at the trade deadline has lit a fire under Dalbec.
“If competition put him on time, thank God,” Cora said. “Thank you to competition. It’s just an adjustment, honestly, and we were talking about it the whole time. The whole season. Sometimes it takes a while.”