Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock has confirmed that he will be returning to the bullpen for the upcoming season. This is positive news for the Red Sox, as a healthy Whitlock as a middle reliever is a beneficial luxury for them to have. Whitlock will be looking to return to his 2021 form, where he thrived as a reliever. In 2021, he sported an 8-4 record with a 1.96 ERA across 73.1 innings pitched. While Whitlock has pitched as a starter, considering the numerous injuries he has gone through in his career with the Red Sox, he is better suited in the reliever role. Whitlock hurt his elbow and had to undergo an internal brace procedure that left him absent from most of the 2024 season. Whitlock has also already undergone Tommy John surgery in 2019 when he was with the New York Yankees.
Role of Red Sox Pitcher Highlighted in Recent Statement
Reliever vs. Starter
In his career, Whitlock has gone back and forth from starter to reliever. The 28-year-old is excited to return to the bullpen and have a bounce-back season with the Red Sox. In 2021, across 46 games in the bullpen, he sported a 1.96 ERA while also being a strong contributor to the Red Sox’s success in the postseason. But over his career as a reliever, he’s recorded a 2.65 ERA across 132 2/3 innings pitched. His numbers as a starter indicate a significant difference, where he sported a 4.29 ERA across 109 innings. This showcases that he performed better in the bullpen.
Whitlock’s Impact on the Bullpen
It’s possible that if he had remained in the reliever role, his health would not have been as impacted by injuries. This is why the goal for Whitlock for 2025 is to remain healthy. The idea of putting him in a closer role is also a suitable option. This would leave the Red Sox to put Justin Slaten, Liam Hendriks, and Aroldis Chapman as set-up relievers for him. This would provide the Red Sox with a solid bullpen rotation for 2025. Regardless of where Whitlock pitches as a reliever, the combination of Slaten and Whitlock will be lethal.
The Red Sox also needs a closer, so it will save them some money on having to acquire one if they place Whitlock in that role. Despite all that Whitlock has gone through over the past few seasons, he will be a significant piece for the Red Sox in 2025. If the Red Sox don’t use him as a closer, they have the option to acquire one more quality arm in the pen. Marlins ace left-handed reliever Tanner Scott and Texas Rangers veteran reliever Kirby Yates are both still available on the free agent market.
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