Garrett Whitlock Looks To Secure Roster Spot
4 years agoBoston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock looks like a steal. Acquired from the New York Yankees during the offseason via the Rule 5 draft, the right-hander continued to overpower spring hitters with three innings of shutout baseball on Friday. He allowed just one hit and struck out five Tampa Bay Rays batters. So far this spring, Whitlock has allowed just one run in nine innings of work. He has a K-BB of 12-0 and has given up eight hits. He needs to remain on the Red Sox's big league roster all season or be offered back to the Yankees. Normally a starter, Whitlock underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2019 and rehabbed for much of last season. With his strong pitching this spring, he's a near-lock to make the club as a multi-inning reliever.
Source: Ian Browne
Source: Ian Browne
Garrett Whitlock To Face Hitters On Tuesday
1 month 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.
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
Garrett Whitlock Entering Spring Training Healthy
1 month 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.
Source: Ian Browne
Source: Ian Browne
Garrett Whitlock Returning To Bullpen In 2025
2 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.
Source: Julian McWilliams
Source: Julian McWilliams
Garrett Whitlock, Lucas Giolito Should Pitch Most Of 2025 Season
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.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo