The Boston Red Sox moved swiftly to improve their starting pitching outlook for 2025. They added Garrett Crochet via trade and brought in Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval in free agency. They already had Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck, plus the rehabbing Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock.
Red Sox planning to use Garrett Whitlock as a reliever in 2025
They can’t all go to the rotation when everybody is healthy, so the Red Sox had to make some decisions. Whitlock, who started four games last year and put up a 1.96 ERA, will be a member of the bullpen to make room for the others. The right-hander told reporters (including Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe, according to MLB Trade Rumors) that the Red Sox intend to use him as a reliever in 2025.
He is very much familiar with the role: since making his MLB debut in 2021, he has pitched 103 games and only started 23. The Red Sox know he can be competent on both facets, and are using his versatility to fit as many quality pieces as they can in their plans.
The Red Sox could really use a healthy Whitlock
Whitlock will probably miss the first few weeks of the 2025 campaign as he finishes his recovery from infernal brace surgery. He is currently in the final phase of his rehab, though, and will probably be able to be close to 100 percent in spring training. Having Whitlock back to full health will be huge for the Red Sox and will give their pitching staff stability and an exciting ceiling, not to mention the added flexibility.
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The team is working hard to return to prominence, something they have struggled with since winning the World Series in 2018 and outside of an American League Championship Series appearance in 2021. They have money, a desire to invest it on the roster, a top farm system, and a solid core of stars in place to make things very exciting in the American League East division.
