The current MLB lockout has delayed the start of Spring Training and put a damper on the beginning of the baseball season. For those those anxious to see the 2022 Red Sox in action, or at least get a little bit of their needed baseball fix this time of year? Matt Barnes to the rescue!
In an impromptu Instagram Live session Thursday morning that lasted over an hour, Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes gave Sox fans a peek at several Sox pitchers, most notably Nick Pivetta and Chris Sale getting some work in. The pitchers were at the Florida Golf Coast University facilities since they can’t access their facilities at JetBlue Park due to the lockout.
For most fans and media this is perhaps the first look we’ve gotten at Red Sox pitchers preparing for the 2022 season, whose start date is in still in limbo. Sale, who eventually faced some live FGCU batters, brought some pop that prompted response from Barnes.
Barnes offered some commentary on his teammates, praising Garrett Whitlock as someone who impresses him. He was also asked hundreds of questions during the session from fans, on a variety of topics, and gave some candid answers to some random inquiries.
Who knows if Barnes will make this a regular occurrence, or if any other teammates will provide this kind of unfiltered firsthand access that fans often crave, especially when they’re deprived of the real thing. And while there’s no replacement for Spring Training baseball, these behind the scenes peeks are fun for the fans and media alike. Good to see Pivetta, Sale and company getting ready for whenever they get the go ahead for 2022.
You can follow Matt Barnes on IG @mbarnes1313.