Garrett Whitlock DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) averaged 95 mph during his live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday and said that he feels "super healthy" and expects to have a normal spring training. Whitlock is nine months removed from having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow but is a full-go this spring as he transitions back to a full-time relief role for the BoSox. While the 28-year-old will most likely serve in a multi-inning middle-relief role in 2025, manager Alex Cora did mention him as a candidate for saves if the team uses a committee approach to the ninth inning. Whitlock had an ERA under 2.00 with a 1.14 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over four starts in 2024 before being shut down. He does have plenty of experience in a relief role for Boston and even has nine career saves, but he won't really be fantasy relevant in shallow-mixed leagues if he's coming out of the bullpen.

The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham reports that Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) will face live hitters on Tuesday. Despite having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last May Whitlock will have a normal spring training. The main reason the 28-year-old should be ready to go for Opening Day in 2025 is the fact that the Red Sox plan to use him as a full-time reliever. Whitlock could see a few save chances this year, depending on the health of veterans Liam Hendricks and Aroldis Chapman, but most likely Whitlock will mix into a middle-relief role in Boston's bullpen this year, limiting his fantasy appeal. Whitlock has looked good in both a starting and relief role for the BoSox, but putting him in a relief role will be easier for the team to manage his innings as he returns from surgery. He had an ERA under 2.00 in his four starts last year before being shut down.

According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (elbow) is expected to have a "regular" spring training. Whitlock underwent season-ending elbow surgery after making just four starts during the 2024 season. Earlier in the offseason, the team noted that Whitlock will pitch primarily out of the bullpen. Whitlock said, "They've got me built out, so I'll just join right in with the group and just go from there." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 28-year-old's status during spring training in case he faces a setback. Across a short 18 1/3-inning stint last season, Whitlock held a 1.96 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. In 2023, he posted a 5.15 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 71 2/3 innings. Given his role as a reliever, he should only be targeted in deeper AL-only formats.