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When healthy, the Boston Red Sox have one of the more exciting young pitching staffs in the American League.
The only problem so far this season is that they have not all been healthy - not at least at the same time. Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, and Garrett Whitlock have all spent time on the IL leaving Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford as the only Boston starters who have yet to miss a start.
Cooper Crisswell has filled in nicely for the Red Sox and has made a case to stay in the rotation as a sixth starter once all five Boston regular starters are healthy - if they choose to go that route.
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Garrett Whitlock Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball
Whitlock has been on the shelf with a strained oblique for the last month, however, the injury was relatively minor and he was able to resume a throwing program on time.
The 27-year-old right-hander made his first and only rehab start on Wednesday. He struck out five hitters in 4 2/3 scoreless frames on 61 pitches.
"The biggest thing is just getting through the next couple of days, and presumably he'll join the team in Tampa." @BGlobeSports' @byJulianMack on Garrett Whitlock's rehab start with the @WooSox.@TomCaron | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/bd40Tkzbr3
— NESN (@NESN) May 15, 2024
Barring any type of setback, he's set to rejoin the Red Sox this week and reclaim his spot in the rotation.
Garrett Whitlock Fantasy Baseball Outlook
Whitlock was pitching really well before his trip to the IL, posting a 1.96 ERA in his first four starts with 17 strikeouts across 18 1/3 innings.
The one area he could stand to improve is his control as he had issued seven free passes, raising his WHIP to 1.15. He has a big-time out pitch with his sweeper, which has some serious horizontal movement that he pairs with a mid-90s fastball.
Garrett Whitlock, 95mph Two Seamer (foul) and 80mph Sweeper (Swinging K), Individual Pitches + Overlay pic.twitter.com/s4DM85SPQG
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 26, 2024
He might face a pitch count in his first start back and it might be a situation where owners want to wait and see if he's back in good form before starting him. But he's definitely a pitcher who should be rostered in all formats as he's flashed some solid potential both last year and this year when healthy.
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