Garrett Whitlock’s throwing program has been halted due to elbow soreness, as reported by Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Friday (Chris Cotillo of MassLive). Whitlock will undergo imaging over the weekend to assess the issue’s severity.
Whitlock has been on the injured list for a month, initially due to a left oblique strain that sidelined him after four starts. He recently made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Worcester, where he pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and reported feeling fine. However, he experienced elbow discomfort the following day.
The Red Sox had anticipated Whitlock’s return to their MLB rotation early next week, but that plan is now uncertain pending the results of his tests. Whitlock previously had two elbow-related stints on the injured list in 2023, one of which kept him out for five weeks. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 while in the Yankees’ minor league system. Ironically, this surgery likely contributed to the Yankees’ decision to leave him unprotected in the 2020 Rule 5 draft, allowing Boston to acquire him.
Whitlock has not completed a full season as a starting pitcher since his minor league days. He excelled as a multi-inning reliever during his first two MLB seasons and was given 10 starts last year before a mid-season injury. Upon his return, he pitched out of the bullpen but began this season in the starting rotation, allowing only four runs over 18 1/3 innings before his oblique injury.
In Whitlock’s absence, Cooper Criswell has joined the rotation alongside Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck. Criswell, who signed a $1 million contract with the Red Sox after being non-tendered by the Rays, has impressed with a 2.76 ERA, a 23.3% strikeout rate, and a 5.8% walk rate over 29 1/3 innings.
