Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Two bridge innings in win
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Whitlock allowed one hit and struck out four over two scoreless innings to earn a hold in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Rays.
The Red Sox received stellar work from the bullpen, which allowed one hit and struck out nine over 4.1 innings. Whitlock, who made his fifth multi-inning appearance, threw 24 pitches (21 strikes) to navigate the seventh and eighth innings for his second hold. That set up the save for Justin Slaten. Whitlock sports a 2.31 ERA with nine hits and four walks allowed while striking out 15 over 11.2 innings (seven outings).
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Another multi-inning outing
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Whitlock allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Thursday's 8-4 win over Baltimore.
Whitlock finished up the final two innings, and all three of his outings to start the season have lasted two frames. That was the blueprint Red Sox manager Alex Cora set for the right-hander during spring training; when possible, Whitlock would throw two innings every time he pitched. He's allowed just the one run through six innings while striking out six and walking one.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Makes spring debut
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Whitlock allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out one over one inning in Friday's spring game against the Marlins.
Whitlock made his Grapefruit League debut Friday and worked the fourth inning when Miami's regulars were still in the lineup. He's spent the last 10 months recovering from an internal brace procedure, but Boston manager Alex Cora still sees Whitlock as a high-leverage reliever that can throw multiple innings.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Spring debut set
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Whitlock will make his spring debut Friday against the Marlins, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Whitlock was on a strict throwing schedule this spring as he recovered from an internal brace procedure, which included planned one-week downtimes which the team described as "de-load" weeks. He'll pitch Friday in relief of starter Walker Buehler. Red Sox manager Alex Cora sees Whitlock has a high-leverage, multi-inning weapon that can deployed in the late innings. Save opportunities are not out of the question, but the Red Sox have Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten pegged for closing duties.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Averages 95 mph in live BP
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Whitlock averaged 95 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Whitlock threw 15 pitches in the session and said he induced six or seven whiffs, adding afterward that he feels "super healthy" and that he expects to have a normal spring training. The right-hander is only nine months removed from undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, but he has no restrictions at the start of camp. Whitlock was mentioned by Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Tuesday as a potential candidate to serve as the team's closer.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Possible closer candidate
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned Whitlock as a closer candidate Tuesday along with Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Whitlock is only nine months removed from undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, but he's slated to face hitters Tuesday and is considered fully healthy as camp opens. It might be a stretch to think he'd be thrown into the ninth inning right away after missing so much time, but Whitlock does boast a career 2.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 150:29 K:BB over 132.2 regular-season frames as a reliever, picking up nine saves along the way. Justin Slaten was not mentioned by Cora as a closer candidate but could also be in the mix.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Facing hitters Tuesday
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Whitlock (elbow) will face hitters Tuesday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.
Whitlock underwent an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow last May, but since he will be used as a full-time reliever this season, he is expected to be ready for a normal spring training and be part of Boston's Opening Day bullpen. The 28-year-old could even find himself in the mix for saves, although he is probably no better than third or fourth in the pecking order as things stand right now.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Ready for regular spring
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Whitlock (elbow) said last Monday that he expects to have a "regular spring training," Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "They've got me built out, so I'll just join right in with the group and just go from there," the pitcher said.
Transitioning from starter to reliever hastens Whitlock's return to action. The right-hander won't need to build up to the 70-80 pitch range over the spring, which gives him a chance to be available for Opening Day.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Returning to bullpen
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Whitlock (elbow) said Saturday that he will move back to the bullpen in 2025, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Whitlock moved to the Red Sox's rotation last season, but he made just four starts before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in May. He had already been expected to return shortly after the start of the 2025 campaign, but now that he'll no longer need to build up to a starter's workload, the 28-year-old righty could make his season debut earlier than anticipated.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Multi-inning relief role possible
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Red Sox chief of baseball operations Craig Breslow suggested Whitlock (elbow) could be used as a multi-inning reliever in 2025, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports, "He was very successful in a multi-inning leverage role, to the point that he was a real weapon that Alex (Cora) could deploy," Breslow said.
Whitlock underwent an internal bracing procedure last May and may best be deployed out of the bullpen. Following a successful 2021 as a multi-inning reliever, Whitlock spent the next three seasons in a hybrid starter/reliever role but dealt with injuries. As the Red Sox talk about adding a front-end starter this offseason, it makes sense from a health and workload-management perspective for Whitlock to work out of the bullpen in 2025. In four seasons as a reliever, Whitlock has a 2.65 ERA and 10.2 K/9 over 132.2 innings.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Starting throwing program Thursday
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Whitlock (elbow) will begin a throwing program Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Whitlock will kick off a throwing progression as he works his way back from an internal bracing procedure, which he underwent in May. It's not yet clear what role the Red Sox have in mind for Whitlock in 2025, but that could affect how soon he might be available to pitch for them.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Decision on surgery coming next week
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Whitlock is scheduled to visit Dr. Jeff Dugas in Birmingham, Ala. on May 30, at which point a decision will be made whether he'll require surgery to address his right elbow sprain, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Whitlock was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 17 with a left oblique strain, but the health of his pitching elbow is now the Red Sox's chief concern after he sustained the injury in his lone rehab start for Triple-A Worcester last Wednesday. He's reportedly dealing with damage to his UCL, so while the early expectation is that he'll need some kind of procedure to address the injury, he'll first consult with Dr. Dugas to see if rest and rehab is a viable treatment plan. Even if Whitlock is able to avoid surgery, he's still likely looking at an extended absence and likely won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox until the second half of the season even in a best-case scenario.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Expected to require surgery
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Whitlock has damage in his right UCL and will likely need surgery, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Whitlock was shut down from throwing after he reported soreness in his right elbow Wednesday, and after further evaluation, it's been discovered that he has ligament damage. The right-hander will see a doctor in Birmingham later in the week, as he could be in the process of seeking a second opinion before electing surgery.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Exceptional in rehab start
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Whitlock (oblique) struck out five and allowed two hits and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings Wednesday in his rehab start with Triple-A Worcester.
Whitlock pumped in 40 of his 61 pitches for strikes and induced 12 swings and misses, looking as strong as ever while pitching in a game for the first time since April 16. Even though he didn't get fully stretched out for a traditional starter's workload Wednesday, Whitlock could return from the 15-day injured list to make his next appearance out of the Red Sox rotation. If the Red Sox decide he won't require an additional rehab appearance, Whitlock would likely start with the big club either Monday or Tuesday at Tampa Bay.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Set to face hitters
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Whitlock (oblique) will throw live batting practice Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Assuming all goes well during his live BP session, Whitlock will move onto a rehab assignment next week, though it's unclear if he will require more than one start in the minors. The 27-year-old right-hander has been on the injured list since April 17 and just began his throwing program Saturday.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Plays catch
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Whitlock (oblique) played catch Saturday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.
Whitlock was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with what was described at the time as a low-grade strain. It's unclear if he'll require more than the 15 days or when Whitlock will advance to pitching off a mound.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Lands on injured list
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The Red Sox placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Whitlock suffered the injury during Tuesday's start against the Guardians. Manager Alex Cora suggested that Whitlock is dealing with a low-grade strain, and the Red Sox are hopeful that the right-hander will be ready to return from the IL when first eligible. It's not yet clear who will take Whitlock's spot in the rotation, but Chase Anderson is a candidate.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Exits with injury
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Whitlock was removed from Tuesday's game against the Guardians due to left oblique tightness, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Whitlock had given up two runs across four innings before Joely Rodriguez relieved him out of the bullpen. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the right-hander will presumably undergo imaging to determine whether or not he'll be required to miss his next turn through the rotation.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Pitches well in no-decision
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Whitlock allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Thursday.
Whitlock held the Orioles scoreless until Colton Cowser belted a solo shot off him in the fifth inning, but he ended up with a no-decision due to a late Baltimore rally. The right-hander has allowed one or zero runs in each of his three starts so far this season, though he's yet to go beyond five frames. Overall, Whitlock's 1.26 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB across 14.1 frames have made for a strong beginning to his first season as a full-time starter.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Throws three innings
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Whitlock allowed two runs on four hits with two strikeouts over three innings in Tuesday's spring start against Tampa Bay.
Whitlock made his third Grapefruit League start and has now allowed runs in all three. When the day began, he was in a competition with Tanner Houck and Josh Winckowski for a single rotation spot; however, circumstances changed by the time he took the mound. The club announced Lucas Giolito is experiencing elbow soreness. One report called it a partial UCL tear and flexor strain, which is likely season-ending injury. That would mean two of the Whitlock/Houck/Winckowski trio will enter the rotation, unless the organization reaches out to an existing free agent, such as Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell. Whitlock has allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out 10 over eight innings.
