Garrett Whitlock Injury Update: Boston Red Sox SP Has No Ulnar Nerve Damage
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The Boston Red Sox got some good news Tuesday night on starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock.
The former Rule-5 draft selection was placed on the injured list last week with ulnar neuritis but does have ulnar nerve damage, per Jen McCaffrey of "The Athletic."
She tweeted: "Some news: Garrett Whitlock had a follow up with a doctor today. Per a source, no ulnar nerve symptoms in his exam today. He threw out to 45 feet."
That's certainly excellent news. Whitlock has had Tommy John surgery before so when we heard "ulnar neuritis," the fear was there that he may need it again. After all, that's what Jeffrey Springs of the Rays was diagnosed with before finding out he needed Tommy John.
The fact that Whitlock is already throwing is also very encouraging. The Red Sox can ill-afford to miss Whitlock for extended time. They already have injury concerns in the rotation with Corey Kluber and Chris Sale.
Whitlock is making the full-time move to the rotation this year after spending all of 2021 in the bullpen and 2022 in a hybrid role. This season, he is 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 16 innings.
For his career, he's 13-8 with a 3.06 ERA. His work in the bullpen was a major factor in the Red Sox advancing to the American League Championship Series in 2021.
At the time of this posting, the Red Sox are tied with the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-6, in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The two teams play again on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
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