Whitlock allowed three runs on four hits over two innings in Wednesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to Toronto.
Whitlock opened the seventh inning with Boston leading, 6-3, and left with the game tied. He retired the first two batters before giving up a walk, single and home run, his first big fly allowed this season. Whitlock entered the contest without having allowed a run in six straight outings. He's an important bullpen piece and is often used for multiple innings; seven of his 11 appearances have lasted two innings. Whitlock owns a 3.06 ERA with 19 strikeouts and five walks over 17.2 innings.
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Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Two bridge innings in win
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: Throws after planned downtime
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Whitlock threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday following a week of downtime, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
As part of the rehab plan this offseason to bring Whitlock back from an internal brace procedure, the Red Sox introduced the concept of what was coined a "de-load" week. The right-hander would throw normal bullpens, then get a week off. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said this most recent de-load was the last one. If healthy, Whitlock should serve in a high-leverage bullpen role, including save opportunities.
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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
Rotowire
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: Expected to pitch most of 2025
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Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that he expects Whitlock (elbow) to pitch most, if not all, of the 2025 season, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Breslow lumped Whitlock together with Lucas Giolito (elbow) in discussing the rehabs of the two pitchers, and Giolito should have the better shot of the two to be ready for Opening Day since he had his internal brace procedure two months earlier. Although, Whitlock could be used in relief in 2025, which could conceivably shorten his timetable.
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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.
Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Role for 2025 undecided
Rotowire
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that the team is undecided on what role Whitlock (elbow) will fill in 2025, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Breslow added that he does plan to define Whitlock's role eventually, but factoring into the decision will be what happens with other potential pitching additions the club makes this offseason. Whitlock underwent an internal brace procedure in May and is likely to get a late start to 2025 regardless of the role he fills, although the rehab would take longer if the Red Sox elect to stretch him out to be in the rotation.
Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Starting throwing program Thursday
Rotowire
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.
