Red Sox reinstate starter Nick Pivetta from COVID-19 IL, place reliever Phillips Valdez on same list
The Boston Red Sox are getting one of their starting pitchers back after being shelved for a week with COVID-19, but one of the team's relief pitchers has landed on the COVID-related injured list.
The Red Sox reinstated right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta from the COVID-19 IL on Sunday. He is also starting Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox.
In addition, Boston placed right-hander Phillips Valdez on the COVID injured list. Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe is reporting that Valdez has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Pivetta was placed on the COVID IL on Sept. 5 and was scratched from his scheduled start that day. He last pitched in a game on Aug. 30.
The 28-year-old has made 26 starts for the Red Sox this season and has posted a 9-7 win-loss record with a 4.67 earned run average and 151 strikeouts in 135 innings pitches. In five of his starts, he threw at least five innings, allowed two hits or fewer and surrendered zero runs.
To make room for Pivetta on the active roster, Boston sent right-handed pitcher Connor Seabold down to Triple-A Worcester.
Seabold made his major league debut Saturday night against the White Sox. The 25-year-old allowed two runs in three innings pitched.
Valdez has made 28 appearances out of the bullpen for the Red Sox this season. The 29-year-old has a 5.85 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched.
To fill Valdez's spot on the roster, Boston recalled right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock from Triple-A Worcester.
The Red Sox acquired Peacock, a member of the Houston Astros' 2017 title-winning team, in an Aug. 30 trade with the Cleveland Indians. He has made two appearances, including one start, and has an 0-1 record and 15.19 ERA after allowing nine earned runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
Including Valdez, Boston now has 10 players on its COVID injured list. The other nine players are starting pitcher Chris Sale, who was scheduled to start Sunday's game; All-Star closer Matt Barnes; rookie outfielder Jarren Duran; infielder Christian Arroyo; right-handed pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura; left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez; infielder Jonathan Araúz; infielder Yairo Muñoz; and utility player Danny Santana.
Santana was placed back on the COVID-19 IL on Saturday, just four days after he was reinstated from the list.
After Saturday's game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Barnes and Pérez are headed to Worcester for rehab assignments. Cora said Barnes will likely need two rehab outings, with Pérez making one or two.