Pivetta, recovering from COVID, won’t pitch in WBC
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Nick Pivetta won’t play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. The Red Sox righthander contracted COVID-19 prior to spring training and is still feeling symptoms, including fatigue. Pivetta came to his decision following a bullpen session a couple of days prior to Wednesday’s announcement.
“It was a really difficult decision,” said Pivetta, who played for Team Canada in the WBC in 2017. “Unfortunately, I haven’t been recovering the way I would like to.
“The team and I came to an agreement and understanding that I have to focus on what I need to do here for this team. I take great pride in playing for that team and playing for my country.”
The expectation is that Pivetta will be ready for the start of the season. He is still going through bullpen sessions as the Sox build him up steadily. The next step will be an up-and-down Saturday.
This was the third time Pivetta contracted COVID, and this one hit him the hardest, he said. The lingering impact played into Pivetta’s decision to pull out of the tournament.
“Just the science behind having COVID, inflammation rates, guys getting injured after getting COVID,” he said. “I think all of those things are factors that I had to take into account.”
While it’s “unfortunate,” he said, that he won’t play in the WBC, he acknowledged the benefit of having an entire spring with the Red Sox.
“It’s all good,” Pivetta said. “I’m focused on what I need to do for 2023 with the team. That’s where I can kind of push it in and that’s where I can put my focus and just forget about everything else.”
Working on timing: While many players were on the back fields for live batting practice, Kenley Jansen was on the mound at Jetblue Park utilizing the pitch clock. Jansen, a slow worker on the mound, is using the beginning of spring training to get accustomed to the clock, which will be implemented this season in an effort to move the game along quicker. “Hitters are used to him being slow,” manager Alex Cora said. “He was really good with it. He got some feedback from the hitters about it. His stuff is legit.” … Both Bobby Dalbec and Triston Casas will play Saturday and Sunday. Dalbec will play first and third. The two also will make the trip to play the Astros and Marlins next week.