FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Noah Song, who was ranked as one of the Red Sox' most intriguing prospects for a number of years but saw his pro career stalled because of a U.S. Naval commitment, has been discharged from the Navy and is set to join the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday.
Song was left exposed to the Rule 5 draft last December and selected by the Phillies. At the time, they didn't know when he might be able to resume his baseball career.
Song hasn't pitched in any capacity since the fall of 2019 and has a lot of ground to make up in a short period of time. Because of the unique circumstances of his career path, the Phillies do not have to place him on their 40-man roster immediately, but instead, can wait until Opening Day. But Song must also be then placed on the 26-man roster and remain there the entire season, or, be placed on the IL.
If Song isn't placed on the 26-man roster by Opening Day, he would then be placed on waivers. If a team claims him, they would face the same rules as the Phillies, needing to have him on the major league roster for the entire 2023 season. If Song were to clear waivers, he would then be offered back to the Red Sox at a cost of $50,000.
Should he return to the Sox in that manner, there are no roster restrictions for the Sox, as Song need not be placed on either the 26-man roster or 40-man roster.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Red Sox were aware that Song being released from his military commitment was a possibility sometime in 2023. They then weighed that against the likelihood of Song being ready to contribute at the major league level for all of 2023, knowing that he had little baseball activity the last three-plus years and hasn't pitched above Rookie Ball.
The next four weeks will reveal whether that was the proper call.
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Still battling the after-affects of COVID and with his body not bouncing back as quickly as he had hoped, Nick Pivetta has informed Team Canada that he won't be pitching for them in the upcoming World Baseball Classic after all.
Pivetta contracted COVID for the third time earlier this month, leaving him with flu-like symptoms. He also cited increased inflammation and slower recovery rates as concerns.
"His recovery has been slow,'' confirmed Alex Cora. "He's been able to do stuff but not at the pace he was before.''
Pivetta, who had taken part in the last WBC and also pitched for his native country in some other international competition, was disappointed that he won't get the chance again.
"It's a really difficult decision,'' he said. "Unfortunately, I haven't been recovering the way I'd like to. The team and I came to an agreement and an understanding that I have to focus here and what I need to do here for this team right now. It's unfortunate. I take great pride in playing for that team and playing for that country.''
Pivetta spoke with former Blue Jays catcher Ernie Whitt, the Team Canada, and relayed his decision.
Although he led the team in starts and innings last season, Pivetta is battling for one of five rotation spots this year. The return of a healthy Chris Sale and James Paxton, plus the addition of free agent Corey Kluber has created additional competition. Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello are also in the mix.
Still, Pivetta tried to put a positive spin on the decision, pointing out that he can now more fully focus on getting ready for the start of the season.
"It's all good,'' he said. "I'm focused on what I need to do for 2023 for this team. That's where I can kind of push it and that's where I kind of put my focus and just forget about everything else.
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A recent report that suggested Alex Verdugo approached Red Sox management earlier this week in search of a contract extension was dismissed by Verdugo Wednesday.
Verdugo walked up to principal owner John Henry, team president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom outside the team clubhouse Monday and, flashing some jewelry, said he motivated to have a big season in 2023, one so good that the Sox would have no choice but to present him with a big contract extension. Verdugo is under control with the Sox through the 2024 season.
"It was all joking,'' Verdugo said. "It was all joking. If (the Red Sox want to give me a contract), they want to. A lot of people are scared of ownership. I like to keep it light, keep it fun and mess around. That's really it.''
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Masataka Yoshida continues to impress with his batting practice sessions. lining the ball to all parts of the field and displaying enough power to hit balls to the batter's eye in straightaway center ... Kenley Jansen threw live BP in the big stadium and did so with the pitch clock ticking. Jansen has been one of the most deliberate catchers in the game in recent years and knows it will be a challenge to speed up his tempo while retaining his proper delivery and maintaining his velocity. "Hitters are used to him being really slow (between pitches)," said Cora. "He was really good with it and got some feedback from the hitters about it.''