Red Sox activate reliever Garrett Whitlock, delay decision about others
Boston Red Sox
Garrett Whitlock Returns to the Bullpen After a Short 10‑Day IL Stint
Boston, Aug. 18 – The Red Sox’s bullpen regained its key setup man on Saturday, when the club activated right‑hander Garrett Whitlock from the 10‑day injured list. Whitlock, who had spent the previous week battling right‑elbow inflammation, is back to help the Sox’s late‑innings defense as the team heads into its September push.
Whitlock’s return came as the Sox faced the New York Yankees in a day‑night doubleheader on Saturday. The interim manager, Chad Tracy, praised the reliever’s importance, calling him “a high‑level back‑end arm” and noting that Whitlock is “one of the premier setup relievers in the game.” Tracy added, “So having him healthy and back as we approach September is really important for us.”
The 6‑1 pitcher’s line is a 2.05 ERA in 45 appearances for Boston this season. His last outing before the IL was on Aug. 9, when he surrendered a tying double to Jonah Heim in the eighth inning of a 4‑3 loss to the Oakland Athletics. Whitlock had been scored upon in his final two appearances before the injury, and the team’s decision to place him on the IL on Aug. 13 came after he did not believe the elbow problem was serious at the time.
Whitlock has had a history of minor injuries this year. Earlier in the season, the right‑hander missed two weeks after a left‑knee inflammation that he sustained on a warm‑up pitch on May 24 against Minnesota. The most recent elbow issue marks the second time Whitlock has gone on the 10‑day IL this season.
Roster Adjustments and Other Injury Updates
To make room for Whitlock, the Sox optioned reliever Wyatt Olds to Triple‑A Worcester. Olds had appeared in six scoreless outings for Boston and had posted a perfect eighth inning in Friday’s 1‑0 loss to the Yankees. He is now on the minor‑league roster for the team’s next assignment.
The team’s injury list also includes Roman Anthony, who is recovering from a sprained right wrist; Trevor Story, who is rehabbing a sports hernia; and Isiah Kiner‑Falefa, who is continuing rehabilitation for a long‑term injury. All three are slated to play another rehab game with the Worcester Red Sox. The Red Sox are monitoring their performances to decide when to activate them, with the next potential call‑up on Sunday or when the team returns home to face Seattle early next week.
Anthony has not appeared in a major‑league game since the injury occurred in his first at‑bat on May 6 against Detroit. He was scheduled to play in his eighth minor‑league rehab appearance. Story, who entered the injured list on May 15 after playing 41 of Boston’s first 43 games, was batting .206 with three homers, five RBIs, and had committed six errors before the injury. He was set to appear in his tenth rehab game. Kiner‑Falefa’s injury details are still under evaluation.
Managerial Perspective
Tracy emphasized that the Sox are not ruling out any player’s return. “I don’t think we’re ruling anything out,” he said. “I don’t have the answer yet. Obviously, they play at (4 p.m.), so they’ll be finishing about the time we’re starting the second game. I’m sure Bres (chief baseball officer Craig Breslow) will communicate while we’re playing on how, like, how do they feel and then we’ll go from there. I wouldn’t rule out that they could come tomorrow. I wouldn’t rule out that being at Fenway next week. It’s just hard to say right now until they go out there and play.”
The Red Sox remain focused on strengthening their bullpen and protecting their lead as the season draws to a close. With Whitlock back and other players on the cusp of activation, the team’s roster flexibility will be a key factor in the upcoming stretch against the Yankees, the Mariners, and the Seattle Mariners.
