2 months agoThe Boston Globe's Peter Abraham reports that Boston Red Sox right-hander
Garrett Whitlock (elbow) will face live hitters on Tuesday. Despite having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last May Whitlock will have a normal spring training. The main reason the 28-year-old should be ready to go for Opening Day in 2025 is the fact that the Red Sox plan to use him as a full-time reliever. Whitlock could see a few save chances this year, depending on the health of veterans Liam Hendricks and
Aroldis Chapman, but most likely Whitlock will mix into a middle-relief role in Boston's bullpen this year, limiting his fantasy appeal. Whitlock has looked good in both a starting and relief role for the BoSox, but putting him in a relief role will be easier for the team to manage his innings as he returns from surgery. He had an ERA under 2.00 in his four starts last year before being shut down.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
2 months agoAccording to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher
Garrett Whitlock (elbow) is expected to have a "regular" spring training. Whitlock underwent season-ending elbow surgery after making just four starts during the 2024 season. Earlier in the offseason, the team noted that Whitlock will pitch primarily out of the bullpen. Whitlock said, "They've got me built out, so I'll just join right in with the group and just go from there." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 28-year-old's status during spring training in case he faces a setback. Across a short 18 1/3-inning stint last season, Whitlock held a 1.96 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. In 2023, he posted a 5.15 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 71 2/3 innings. Given his role as a reliever, he should only be targeted in deeper AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ian Browne
3 months agoAccording to Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe, right-handed pitcher
Garrett Whitlock is returning to the bullpen in 2025. Whitlock opened the 2024 season in the rotation but was only able to make four starts before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in May. Across these four starts, the 28-year-old posted a 1.96 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He struck out 17 batters (across 18 1/3 innings) and generated a 36.0% hard-hit rate and 6.0% barrel rate. In 2023, Whitlock spent time in both the bullpen and rotation and held a 5.15 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 71 2/3 total innings. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he may be able to return to the mound before Opening Day if he does not face a setback in his recovery. Whitlock will likely see time as a long relief option but could eventually earn a high-leverage role later in the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Julian McWilliams
3 months agoBoston Red Sox chief baseball officer
Craig Breslow said on Monday that right-handers
Garrett Whitlock (elbow) and
Lucas Giolito (elbow) are both currently rehabbing but are expected to pitch most, if not all, of the 2025 season. Giolito had an internal-brace surgery on his arm several months before Whitlock did, so of the two, he has the best shot at being healthy for Opening Day and contributing for fantasy managers. If Whitlock's rehab is dragging, the Red Sox could choose to use him in relief instead, although that would significantly damper his fantasy outlook. Whitlock has had success as both a starter and reliever, and he had an ERA under 2.00 in four starts in 2024 before the injuries set in. Giolito has been throwing for months at this point, and the 30-year-old could force Boston's hand with a six-man starting rotation early in the year if he's fully healthy and ready to go.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
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