The Boston Red Sox are thin in the starting rotation right now but that could change soon.

Boston’s rotation already was thin entering the 2024 campaign but it has been very solid so far to kick off the season. While this is the case, the Red Sox recently lost one of their most important pitchers as Nick Pivetta was placed on the Injured List with a right elbow flexor strain.

Initially, this diagnosis was very concerning. With injuries popping up all around baseball to pitchers this season — including to the Red Sox with Lucas Giolito — there was a real fear that Pivetta could end up missing a significant chunk of the season.

It’s unclear exactly when he will return, but there have been some positive reports coming out that he could return soon. He even will take a positive step in his recovery on Saturday and begin playing catch again, according to The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey.

“Pivetta said he’s feeling better, getting anxious so decided to test his arm today,” McCaffrey said. “He’s about to play catch now. Said he’ll know more by Monday what his plan is and how his arm bounces back from today.”

The fact that he will start playing catch again on Saturday certainly is a positive sign. The Red Sox entered the season thin in the rotation and can’t afford to lose Pivetta for long. He shined in his first two starts of the season and is an important part of the rotation.

Hopefully, his arm holds up after playing catch and we see him back on the mound soon at Fenway Park.

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