The Red Sox have placed reliever Garrett Whitlock on the injured list, but the team remains optimistic about his recovery. Whitlock, a 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, has been dealing with elbow issues, which he attributes to overuse. He has a history of elbow injuries, having undergone Tommy John surgery in 2019 and an internal brace procedure in 2024. However, this current issue doesn't seem as severe, and Whitlock remains confident in his recovery.
The team's decision to place Whitlock on the injured list was a precautionary measure, given his recent workload. In July, Whitlock appeared in 13 games in just 27 days, including the All-Star break. This intense schedule likely contributed to his current elbow discomfort. Despite this, Whitlock's performance this season has been impressive, with a 2.05 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 45 games, showcasing his reliability as a setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman.
To fill Whitlock's spot, the Red Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Greg Weissert from Triple-A Worcester. Weissert's return provides depth to the bullpen, as the team has been dealing with a bullpen roster crunch. The Red Sox will now rely on a combination of Tyron Guerrero, Erik Miller, and Justin Slaten to fill the void left by Whitlock.
Whitlock expressed trust in his teammates, stating that he is not too worried about the team's performance without him. He believes that the bullpen has been performing well and is confident in their ability to step up. Despite the setback, Whitlock remains optimistic about his recovery and is taking a break to allow his elbow to heal.
In other team news, the Red Sox are considering bringing Roman Anthony back to Boston from Fort Myers, where he has been recovering from a sprained hand/wrist. Anthony is nearing a minor league rehabilitation assignment and is making steady progress. Catcher Adley Rutschman had a scheduled day off on Thursday, and the team plans to manage his playing time to avoid fatigue. The Red Sox's rotation in Pittsburgh will feature Jake Bennett, Sonny Gray, and Patrick Sandoval, while the Pirates' rotation includes Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones, and Paul Skenes.
