FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It might be a shortened Spring Training, but Red Sox righty Nick Pivetta plans on making it as normal as possible.

Pivetta set the tone by being the first Boston player to arrive at camp when it opened on Friday and returning to throw a bullpen on Saturday.

“I’ve thrown two live [batting practices] before this and bullpens twice a week so I’m prepared for games,” Pivetta said. “I think they start in a week, so I'll be prepared for that.”

The Sox open their Grapefruit League slate on Thursday against the Twins, which means it will be a quick ramp-up to game action. All MLB players are due to report to Spring Training on Sunday.

But Pivetta was part of a group of Sox pitchers who tried to simulate the start of Spring Training at Florida Gulf Coast University, the alma mater of Boston ace Chris Sale.

“Sale, Kutter Crawford, Jay Groome, Austin Davis, Matt Barnes [and Josh Winckowski] came two weeks ago, and there were some Twins players down there,” Pivetta said. “So just before the lockout had ended, I got a group together and we were throwing lives and we were going to continue to get that work in once a week, throw those lives to stay prepared.”

Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and catcher Christian Vázquez also participated.

Pivetta tried to be a leader for the Red Sox contingent, keeping the group focused on being ready once camp opened.

“It was a group effort but I just made sure everybody was on the same page,” Pivetta said. “I was concerned about guys, making sure they could get their work in and that pitchers could [throw to] catchers, and I wanted to make sure hitters could see fastballs and get their swings ready, and I think that was a priority.

“As the lockout happened we all came together as a group and the communication [was] very strong and we were all in it together to try to help each be as prepared as we can for the season, so that was kind of the message. We all had an understanding of where we were at, where we were supposed to be during Spring Training and where we needed to be to come in to this Spring Training and be prepared to get into games quickly.”

In 2021, Pivetta’s first full season in Boston, he became a key member of the rotation, making 30 starts for manager Alex Cora while going 9-8 with a 4.53 ERA and striking out 175 over 155 innings.

Pivetta came up clutch as the Red Sox advanced all the way to Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, posting a 2.63 ERA in three appearances.

It is hard to forget the dominance and fire Pivetta displayed in Game 3 of the ALDS, when he fired four scoreless frames to get the win in the epic 13-inning victory over the Rays.

The 29-year-old is determined to take another big step forward this season.

“One of the biggest things I need to do is lower my walk rate this year, and get into the strike zone a lot more and compete in the strike zone,” said Pivetta.

Now, the Red Sox will get the band back together and attempt to win those two games they couldn’t last year to get to the World Series. Perhaps chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will aid that cause in the coming days, with nearly 200 free agents still available.

“I think we’re just focused on getting ready for games, getting ready for the season,” Pivetta said. “All of that stuff will settle it out. That’s why you’ve got the front office and that’s what their jobs are for, is for handling that. And when the guys come in, just welcome with open arms and get everybody on the same page and ready to compete.”