Team Canada might be one of the dark horses of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Or at least they could be.
However, they didn’t get good news on Wednesday, as they will lose one of the most important members of their starting rotation.
“Nick Pivetta is expected to have to drop out of the WBC after an illness set him back some days. Pivetta looked like a potential ace for Canada’s team, along with Cal Quantrill,” MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted.
Nick Pivetta is expected to have to drop out of the WBC after an illness set him back some days. Pivetta looked like a potential ace for Canada’s team, along with Cal Quantrill.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 22, 2023
Heyman did not specify which illness is slowing down Pivetta, but did imply that it’s a day-to-day thing that will not compromise his availability for the start of the MLB season.
He is an important part of the Boston Red Sox’s rotation, having pitched to a 4.56 ERA in 179.2 frames last season.
For Canada, however, he was the closest thing to an ace, along with Cleveland Guardians pitcher Cal Quantrill.
Pivetta is a bit inconsistent, but is certainly capable of going on an impressive run when he is on.
The Canadians roster some hurlers with MLB experience such as Phillippe Aumont, Andrew Albers, John Axford, Matt Brash, Adam Loewen, and others.
On the position player side of things, they are led by World Series champion and 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman.
They also have major leaguers Abraham Toro and Tyler O’Neill, not to mention Guardians catching prospect Bo Naylor.
Without Pivetta, however, they lose an important part of their staff.
They will still try to be competitive, but the road just got a lot harder for them.
NEXT: Jeff McNeil Discusses His Preparation For 2023
