When is Nick Pivetta Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Return Update

After a rough start to 2023, Nick Pivetta was relegated to the Red Sox bullpen. Under the guidance of veteran Chris Martin, Pivetta altered his approach and was ultimately reinserted back into the regular rotation in September. The results were phenomenal, and coupled with a dramatic increase in his K-BB% versus the prior season, Pivetta became a sleeper/value pick at the end of 2024 fantasy drafts.

The 31-year-old started off 2024 strong, with two excellent performances in which he gave up just one earned run with a 13:1 K:BB over 11 IP. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he was scratched from his next start, and news was announced that he was dealing with an elbow issue.

After losing Lucas Giolito for the season to Tommy John surgery and Trevor Story out for significant time, it was brutal news for the Red Sox. Also, with so many pitchers coming down with elbow injuries in the early going of the season, including arguably the most electric pitcher in the game in Spencer Strider, you assume the worst. Is that the case with Pivetta? Will he need surgery or an extended absence? Or is his situation better than feared? Could he pitch again this season?

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Nick Pivetta racks up strikeout No. 13 on the night, the most ever by a Red Sox reliever.

🎥 @RedSox pic.twitter.com/e9N7Ba0NuT

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) July 18, 2023

Nick Pivetta Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Pivetta was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to April 6. As one does these days when elbows are involved, the veteran pitcher underwent an MRI. In what seems to be a rare occurrence now, the MRI came back clean, indicating there is no damage to his UCL.

So the plan is to rest. He'll miss his next couple turns in the rotation but he and the Red Sox are hoping that he'll be back at the earliest possible opportunity. This is of course good news for the Sox and fantasy managers alike.

Nick Pivetta Fantasy Baseball Outlook

As mentioned earlier, Pivetta had a great start to the season which was a continuation of the late-season success he enjoyed in 2023. The righty had a strong 22.7% K-BB% in 2023 and it was even better so far to start this season, registering at 29.3%. His 0.82 ERA and 0.82 WHIP would not have held for the entire season, but a rest-of-season ERA in the area of 3.50 wouldn't be unreasonable and expect him to maintain a solid WHIP when he returns.

Nick Pivetta, Wicked 83mph Sweeper. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/6V54sDVxJd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 3, 2024

He's featured mainly a four-pitch mix so far in 2024, with a four-seamer (32.8%), a sweeper (26.4%), a cutter (20.7%), and a curveball (16.7%). Additionally, six of his pitches have registered as a fifth pitch, a slider (3.4%). If he doesn't need any additional time on the IL and pitches in the first series he's eligible, he'd go against the Guardians in Cleveland. Otherwise, perhaps the Sox wait until later in the week when he could pitch in front of the home crowd in Fenway against the Cubs.

The fact that he won't miss much time is great news, but with elbows and pitchers, fantasy managers should have a backup plan in case his recovery doesn't go as expected or if later in the season the condition recurs. For now, managers with IL roster spots should move the BoSox pitcher there, but do not drop unless you have to.

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