Nick Pivetta Struggles in Spring Training Debut

The Phillies opened their spring training schedule on the road in Lakeland, FL against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

Nick Pivetta would open the spring training schedule for the Phillies, battling for a spot in the starting rotation.

He struggled in his spring debut, giving three runs, five hits in 1 2/3 innings against the Tigers on Saturday.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi told NBA Sports Philadelphia:

“His velocity was good,” Girardi said. “He used his fastball down in the zone and up in the zone well. I thought his curveball had bite to it. His slider was pretty consistent. He threw some changeups. I thought his tempo was great. To me, you can really build off that. I don’t necessarily look at the early numbers, right? He didn’t walk people. He was ahead in the count. You start doing that and your location gets better as you get more innings under your belt and you’ve got something.”

The Phillies are back in action on Sunday with Aaron Nola making his first start of the spring in Clearwater against Pittsburgh.