Crimson Sox’ Garrett Whitlock will pitch out of bullpen in 2025

Whitlock noticed success as a full-time reliever in 2021, recording a 1.96 ERA as a rookie.

Garrett Whitlock will look to bounce again from an injury-filled final couple of seasons. John McCoy/Getty Photographs

Garrett Whitlock has bounced forwards and backwards between beginning video games and pitching out of the bullpen over the previous few seasons.

The appropriate-hander has seen success as a starter and a reliever since getting into MLB with the Crimson Sox in 2021. However given Whitlock’s prolonged damage historical past, Boston appears to have determined it’s finest to maintain him within the bullpen.

Whitlock clearly outlined his function when talking with reporters on the Crimson Sox’ “Fenway Fest” on Saturday.

“Let’s return to the bullpen, child,” he mentioned (by way of MassLive’s Chris Cotillo).

The 28-year-old is coming off a season wherein he pitched simply 4 video games (all begins) attributable to a number of debilitating accidents. Whitlock first suffered an indirect pressure in April, after which underwent season-ending elbow surgical procedure in Could following a rehab outing.

In 2023, he made 22 appearances, 10 being begins. Whitlock posted a 5.15 ERA over 71 ⅔ innings. However he additionally noticed himself on the injured record for 59 mixed video games with proper elbow irritation and irritation all through the season, which can have contributed to his less-than-ideal numbers.

Whitlock spoke about his lowly 2023 marketing campaign final winter and referred to as himself out.

“I believe I used to be the worst man on the roster final 12 months,” he mentioned on Jan. 20 final 12 months. “I’ve actually acquired to step it up.”

Earlier than that, 2022 was a promising 12 months for Whitlock. He pitched in 31 video games, 9 of these being begins, and confirmed that he might have a shiny future in Boston. The Crimson Sox might have opted to make Whitlock a full-time starter or reliever the next season, however didn’t commit both manner.

It’s doable that the dearth of stability contributed to Whitlock’s hefty record of accidents down the street.

Boston and Whitlock alike are hoping that making him a everlasting reduction arm will assist him return to his dominant 2021 self. That 12 months marked his rookie season, a season wherein he pitched out of the bullpen 46 instances in 73 ⅓ innings. Whitlock posted a 1.96 ERA, an 8-4 document, and 81 strikeouts to 64 hits allowed.

If Whitlock can obtain something near these numbers in 2025, mixed with high quality performances out of Crimson Sox pitchers, the Crimson Sox will hope to take that into the postseason once more.