The Boston Red Sox are making a significant bullpen adjustment ahead of their series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays as one of MLB‘s best bullpens has suffered a tough blow. Boston announced that right-hander Garrett Whitlock has been placed on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his right elbow. To take his place, the Red Sox have recalled fellow right-hander Greg Weissert from Triple-A. The move comes at an unfortunate time for Boston, considering how dominant Whitlock has been this season.
MORE: MLB awards predictions for the 2026 season Whitlock downplays severity of injury May 13, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock (22) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Whitlock, 30, has dealt with inflammation in his elbow, but he doesn’t believe the issue is structural and downplayed the severity of the injury. That’s encouraging, but Boston will still be without one of its most reliable relievers for at least 15 days. Since the Red Sox acquired Whitlock from the Yankees in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, he has developed into a quality major league pitcher. This season, however, has been his best yet. Whitlock has thrown 44 innings and owns a spectacular 2.05 ERA, along with a 29.2% strikeout rate and just a 4.2% walk rate. He’s been even better since early May. Over his last 29 2/3 innings, Whitlock has surrendered only four runs, producing a 1.21 ERA. Even more impressive, he has walked just one of the 106 batters he’s faced during that stretch. Major loss for Boston’s bullpen Whitlock’s dominance can also be seen in his ability to get hitters to chase pitches outside the strike zone. Among pitchers with at least 40 innings, his 42% chase rate leads all of baseball. Tanner Scott ranks second at 40.2%. Whitlock’s 15.8% swinging-strike rate ranks 14th among 319 pitchers in that group. That makes his absence particularly significant for Boston. Whitlock and closer Aroldis Chapman have formed one of baseball’s most dangerous late-inning combinations. Now, the Red Sox will have to navigate the next few weeks without one-half of that dynamic duo.
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