Red Sox Find Silver Lining After Garrett Whitlock's Injury

It sure sounds like the Boston Red Sox are getting closer to getting a significant piece back in the bullpen.

Garrett Whitlock hasn't pitched in a game for Boston since Aug. 9 due to elbow inflammation. He's making clear progress, though. On Monday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reported that Whitlock is with the club on their road trip and is scheduled to throw a live bullpen on Wednesday.

"Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock is on the [trip] and will throw a live BP here Wednesday," Smith wrote on X on Monday.

The Red Sox will kick off a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on the road on Monday night. The series will run through Wednesday. So, it will be in Miami that Whitlock throws his live bullpen if all goes as scheduled. After the series, Boston will begin a four-game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Boston won't be back at Fenway Park until Monday, Aug. 31 when the club kicks off a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.

The Red Sox Are Close To Getting A Star Back

Aug 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock (22) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It was reported over the weekend that Whitlock was already throwing at 120 feet and that a bullpen was near. Clearly, that was true and now we're just two days away from Whitlock throwing a live bullpen. It will be interesting to see how Boston handles the righty afterward, if all goes well.

The fact that he's on the road trip is interesting. In a perfect world, the Red Sox would get him back on the mound in a game during the Yankees series. There is a doubleheader on Saturday and the Red Sox will need to find a way to fill 18 innings of action. If the Red Sox could have the 30-year-old back by then, it would just make things easier. But it would also be a bit surprising to see him return without a rehab assignment. But, that will all depend on how the bullpen goes on Wednesday.

Before Whitlock landed on the Injured List, he was in the middle of yet another elite season. Whitlock has a 2.05 ERA and a ridiculous 49-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 44 innings pitched. The strikeout-to-walk ratio specifically is absurd. His career high right now is 5.54 strikeouts per walk in a season (2023). That was in just 22 games. This season, he has pitched in 45 games and is at 7.00 strikeouts per walk. There are few relievers having a better season than Whitlock.

At the very least, his time is coming. On Wednesday, we'll find out more.

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