Pivetta (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta will play catch from 120 feet Thursday, and if all goes well, he'll take a big step forward in his recovery from a right elbow strain by getting back on the mound this weekend. The right-hander will likely need to complete multiple bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. After that, Pivetta will likely require a brief minor-league rehab assignment to get stretched back out, so he could be hard pressed to make it back from the injured list in the minimum 15 days. A return in the first or second week of May could be realistic, provided Pivetta avoids any setbacks while ramping back up.

Pivetta (elbow) continues to play catch but hasn't yet advanced to mound work, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta was placed on the 15-day injured list and is first eligible to return Sunday, but he's not yet ready to help a Red Sox rotation that has been hit by the injury bug of late, as Garrett Whitlock (oblique) joined him on the IL this week. It's likely Pivetta would need at least one rehab start before rejoining the club.

Pivetta (elbow) will play catch Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta landed on the injured list just three days ago with a right elbow flexor strain, so it's a good sign that he's already been cleared to throw. The hope is that the right-hander won't be sidelined long. Cooper Criswell is expected to fill Pivetta's spot in the Red Sox' rotation.

Red Sox GM Craig Breslow said Tuesday that Pivetta (elbow) may not be on the injured list much beyond the 15-day minimum, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was placed on the injured list earlier Tuesday with a flexor strain, but the issue apparently isn't a serious concern. Still, it's worth keeping an eye on Pivetta's recovery given the nature of the injury. Cooper Criswell and Chase Anderson are the likely candidates to receive a look in the rotation while Pivetta is sidelined.

Pivetta was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Red Sox on Tuesday with a right elbow flexor strain, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta has been an early-season bright spot for the Red Sox, allowing just one run with a 13:1 K:BB over 11 innings covering his first two starts. After sustaining the injury coming out of his most recent start last Wednesday, however, Pivetta will be on the shelf for a least a couple weeks and potentially much longer, given the nature of the injury. It's not clear yet who might fill Pivetta's spot in the rotation, but Cooper Criswell, Chase Anderson and Josh Winckowski look to be the top candidates.

Pivetta (1-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing five hits and one walk over five scoreless innings against the Athletics. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta had it going again Wednesday, retiring 10 of the first 12 batters he faced while allowing only one extra-base hit in the contest. The veteran right-hander has now given up just one run over his first two starts, posting a 13:1 K:BB over that brief span. He'll look to continue his phenomenal start to the 2024 campaign next week when the Red Sox host the Orioles.

Pivetta (0-1) took the loss Friday versus the Mariners, allowing one run on three hits while striking out 10 over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta was dominant Friday, allowing a lone run on a J.P. Crawford solo homer in the sixth inning while striking out 10 Mariners. However, the Red Sox couldn't crack George Kirby as Pivetta was ultimately saddled with the loss in a 1-0 defeat. The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to be a major piece in Boston's rotation after going 10-9 with a 4.04 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 183:50 K:BB last season. Pivetta's tentatively in line for a road matchup next week against the A's.

Pivetta allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out nine over six innings in Saturday's spring start against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta finished out his Grapefruit League work on Saturday, raising his strikeout total to 22 over 18 innings. The right-hander will start Boston's second game of the season, which will take place Friday in Seattle.

Pivetta allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five over four-plus innings in Monday's spring start against Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta, whose pitch count reached 79 in his penultimate spring outing, was removed in the fifth inning after the first batter reached on a single. For those calendar watchers, Pivetta's five-day schedule lines up perfectly with Opening Day, March 28, on the road in Seattle. The right-hander has a 5.25 spring ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks over 12 innings.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Pivetta is one of two choices to start Opening Day, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports. The other pitcher in consideration is Brayan Bello.

EDGE Analysis

Pivetta, who was relegated from the rotation to the bullpen last May, re-established himself as a starter after adding a sweeper midseason. Over the final two months, the right-hander appeared in 12 games (seven starts) and compiled a 3.98 ERA while striking out 73 over 54.1 innings. "Nick is a workhorse. He's a strong kid," Cora said. "He has his goals, and we all know what he wants to accomplish. He worked hard in the offseason to keep getting better repertoire-wise and body-wise, and he's in a good spot." Pivetta made his second spring start Thursday, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings in a loss to Atlanta.