Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) averaged 95 mph during his live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday and said that he feels "super healthy" and expects to have a normal spring training. Whitlock is nine months removed from having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow but is a full-go this spring as he transitions back to a full-time relief role for the BoSox. While the 28-year-old will most likely serve in a multi-inning middle-relief role in 2025, manager Alex Cora did mention him as a candidate for saves if the team uses a committee approach to the ninth inning. Whitlock had an ERA under 2.00 with a 1.14 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over four starts in 2024 before being shut down. He does have plenty of experience in a relief role for Boston and even has nine career saves, but he won't really be fantasy relevant in shallow-mixed leagues if he's coming out of the bullpen.

The 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.

According 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.

According 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.

Boston 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.

The Boston Red Sox are still undecided regarding right-handed pitcher Garrett Whitlock's (elbow) role for the 2025 campaign, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive. Smith reported that the team plans to define his role soon. Last season, Whitlock logged only four starts before suffering a season-ending injury that resulted in an internal-brace surgery. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to what the Red Sox do during the offseason, as it will likely provide clarity on Whitlock's role heading into spring training. During four starts last season, the right-hander carried a strong 1.96 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. For now, Whitlock should not be on your fantasy radar heading into the offseason.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) is having the internal-brace procedure on his right elbow on Thursday. After consulting with doctors this week, it was determined that it would be best for Whitlock to undergo the season-ending surgery on his right elbow. We should have a better timetable after he goes under the knife, but the 27-year-old has been optimistic that he'll be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season. It's a huge loss for the Red Sox and fantasy managers alike this year, as Whitlock was looking primed for a breakout campaign before getting hurt. He had gone 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks in 18 1/3 innings over four starts. Even if Whitlock is ready to go for Opening Day in 2025, he'll be a risky starting pitching commodity coming off a serious arm injury.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) will have his medical visit with Dr. Jeff Dugas next Wednesday, at which point it will be decided if he will have surgery. While on a minor-league rehab assignment to recover from a left-oblique strain, Whitlock suffered a right-elbow sprain last Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester and may now be forced to miss the rest of the 2024 season if he has to go under the knife. If the 27-year-old needs surgery to fix damage to his right UCL, he'll not only miss the rest of this year, but he probably won't be ready to go for Boston to start next year, either. It would be a serious blow for Boston's pitching depth, as the former 18th-round pick of the New York Yankees in 2017 out of Alabama was 1-0 with a stingy 1.96 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings in 2024 in his four starts.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique, elbow) has ligament damage in his right elbow, and surgery has become a real possibility. Whitlock was originally expected to return to Boston's rotation on Monday after being sidelined by a strained left oblique, but he experienced soreness in his elbow following last week's minor-league rehab appearance and now appears to be staring at a potentially season-ending setback. It would be a big blow to the Red Sox' pitching staff after the 27-year-old right-hander put together a promising 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks across 18 1/3 innings (four starts) in 2024. Whitlock will be evaluated by a doctor in Alabama for a second opinion later this week. In the meantime, righty Cooper Criswell looks set to continue handling a rotation spot going forward.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (elbow) is scheduled to undergo additional testing on Monday. This is frustrating after Whitlock looked strong during his latest minor league rehab outing on Wednesday. The plan was for Whitlock to return to the team next week, but that looks like it has changed. The 27-year-old will now have more testing done due to elbow soreness. Fantasy managers will need to be patient as the team should provide another update following his evaluation.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) looked sharp in Wednesday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one walk. After throwing 40 of his 61 pitches for strikes on Wednesday, Whitlock should be good to go for a return to Boston's rotation as early as Monday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The 27-year-old right-hander recorded a 1.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 17:4 K:BB through four starts (18 1/3 innings) before suffering a strained left oblique, and he should probably be rostered in the majority of leagues with his return on the horizon. Fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before activating Whitlock if he faces the Rays in his first start back, considering the hurler gave up nine runs over 9 2/3 frames (two starts) against Tampa last year.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (oblique) will make his first and possibly only minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday morning. Manager Alex Cora said that if all goes well for Whitlock on Wednesday, he'll only need one rehab start. In addition, the skipper reiterated that Whitlock is a starting pitcher moving forward The 27-year-old is getting close to a return from the 15-day injured list and should be rostered in most fantasy leagues after getting off to a 1-0 start with a 1.96 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with seven walks and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over his first four starts this year before going on the injured list. Whitlock is attempting to return from a left-oblique strain that has kept him out for almost a month. When he's back, Cooper Criswell is the most in jeopardy of losing his rotation spot in Beantown.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) is scheduled to throw live batting practice ahead of Friday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. If all goes well, Whitlock could make a minor-league rehab start five days later on May 15 and potentially be back with the Red Sox by May 20. Before suffering a strained left oblique, the 27-year-old right-hander registered an outstanding 1.96 ERA (3.31 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP while striking out 17 and walking seven in four starts (18 1/3 innings) out of Boston's rotation this season, and he remains a strong stash in all fantasy leagues. Swingman Cooper Criswell has filled in well during Whitlock's absence, compiling a 1.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 16:4 K:BB through 20 2/3 frames (four starts), and he'll be a prime streaming candidate for Sunday's series finale against a middling Nats lineup.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This is encouraging news that Whitlock has finally been cleared to throw off the mound. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since mid-April due to a left oblique strain. If Saturday goes well, Whitlock could then head to the minors for a rehab assignment. It's unclear if the team plans on having Whitlock do any rehab work, but the assumption is that they'd at least make one or two appearances before rejoining the Red Sox. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates after Saturday's session.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) still hasn't been cleared to throw off a mound yet. Although Whitlock played catch on Saturday, fantasy managers should not be expecting him to be activated from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on May 1 at the pace he's progressing through his throwing program. The 27-year-old right-hander left with a strained left oblique in April 16's start versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians, and his 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts through 18 1/3 innings (four starts) for the BoSox make him a worthwhile stash in all mixed fantasy leagues. Boston will likely turn to a heavy dose of openers and long relievers until some of their arms return to their injury-depleted rotation. After throwing five scoreless innings in Wednesday's win over Cleveland, right-hander Cooper Criswell might get himself into streaming conversations in the proper matchups.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander Garrett Whitlock (oblique) is going on the 15-day injured list after straining his left-oblique in his start on Tuesday versus the Cleveland Guardians. The Red Sox are primarily playing it safe with the move, and the hope is to activate him as soon as he's eligible. Pitcher Joe Jacques is being called up from the minors in a corresponding move. It's a tough break for the 27-year-old Whitlock early in the year, but the silver lining is that it shouldn't keep him out for too long. Before getting hurt on Tuesday, the former 18th-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2017 was 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA (3.41 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with seven walks and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over four starts. It's unclear who will enter Boston's starting rotation as a result of Whitlock's injury, but veteran Chase Anderson could be a candidate.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) exited Tuesday's start versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians due to tightness in his left oblique. Whitlock threw 54 pitches, 36 for strikes, before left-hander Joely Rodriguez relieved him, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk in four innings of work. Look for the Red Sox to provide another update on the 27-year-old right-hander's status either after Tuesday's game or sometime in the coming days. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Sunday on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but it remains to be seen if his turn in the rotation needs to be skipped. Whitlock has been great as a starter for Boston this year, logging a superb 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 punchouts over 18 1/3 frames (four starts) to begin the 2024 season.

Earning a no-decision on Thursday, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock tossed five innings versus the division rival Baltimore Orioles. Whitlock allowed four hits, one run, two walks and struck out four on the evening. It was another solid performance, as Whitlock has been having a strong season with the rest of Boston's rotation. Whitlock now owns a shiny 1.26 ERA to go along with 16 strikeouts and six walks in 14 1/3 innings. Whitlock is worth rostering in most formats with his early season success and he will look to keep it going versus the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock didn't allow a run on Saturday in a 2-1 loss to the Angels, however, it wasn't stress-free. The righty lasted just four-and-a-third innings, allowing four hits and walking four while striking out four in the no-decision. The 27-year-old threw 101 pitches despite the short outing. Through two starts, Whitlock has allowed just one earned run on seven hits and four walks with 12 K, posting a 0.96 ERA (2.86 xFIP, 3.14 SIERA). The ERA won't stay that low for long, but he should continue to put up serviceable numbers. He'll get the Angels again next Friday in Boston in his next turn through the rotation.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock has officially been named to the team's Opening Day starting rotation. Cooper Criswell will be optioned to Triple-A Worcester and will stay stretched out as a starter. It's good news for Whitlock's fantasy value as a streamer and in AL-only leagues, but his fantasy upside will be capped with the Red Sox most likely monitoring his innings in 2024 since he hasn't gone over 78 1/3 innings in any of his three major-league seasons to this point. The 27-year-old had a 3.45 ERA with two walks and 16 strikeouts in 15 2/3 Grapefruit League innings this spring. Whitlock has some upside in a starting role, but he was inconsistent in a starting role in 2023 before injuries moved him back to the bullpen.