Virginia pitcher Bobby Nicholson was suspended for the Cavaliers’ series at Pittsburgh in March for an undisclosed violation of team rules. It forced him to miss a Sunday start, and he’s remained out of the weekend rotation since.
After pitching six-plus innings in UVa’s 3-2, extra-inning win over George Washington on Tuesday night, Nicholson addressed why he was suspended.
“It doesn’t really matter at this point,” Nicholson said at first when asked why he was suspended. “It wasn’t a huge disciplinary thing on my end. I was late to a bus. That’s the way it works, that’s the rule. I didn’t travel. It’s all right. We’ve moved on.”
The former St.-Anne’s Belfield pitcher was punished for missing a team bus. It’s unclear if that was the team bus that was en route to take the team to Pittsburgh. It’s also unclear if that suspension has anything to do with why Nicholson hasn’t re-entered the weekend rotation since returning.
Nicholson has certainly been the team’s third-best starting pitcher. He has a 1.47 ERA with 36 2/3 innings this season. And although he’s struggled at times with walking and hitting batters, Nicholson has been nearly unhittable this season, with batters having a .126 batting average against him, best on the Virginia roster.
“Maybe,” Nicholson said when asked if he thought his suspension changed the team’s view of him. “But, you know, it’s over with now. But I don’t think so. Coach [Brian O’Connor] and teammates have been great about it. I’ve apologized to them. It absolutely wasn’t intentional. I, of course, would rather be out playing. I don’t think so, everyone’s been great.”
After pitching into the seventh inning on Tuesday, it’s unlikely that he’ll re-enter the Sunday rotation this weekend. One of the main reasons why it’s curious that Virginia isn’t adding Nicholson is because its options for Sunday are so limited.
Grant Donahue recorded just one out in his start on Saturday in the second game of a doubleheader against North Carolina, and was completely ineffective. Behind that, there isn’t anyone who’s proven to be a starter. Really, the only two Sunday options are Donahue — with his 5.40 ERA in 15 innings — and Nicholson.
“I’m just trying to help the team wherever I can,” Nicholson said. “Any opportunity is a great opportunity.”