March is officially here, meaning it won't be long before the 2025 MLB season begins. Although the Boston Red Sox's Opening Day roster has already started taking shape, some players' season-opening status is up in the air due to injury — including right-handed pitcher Garrett Whitlock.
The 6-foot-5 hurler missed most of the 2024 campaign with a torn UCL and has spent the last nine months trying to return to form. Starting the year without Whitlock would be unfortunate, which is why Red Sox fans will love the latest update surrounding his return to action.
Red Sox Injury News: Garrett Whitlock to Be '100 Percent' Ready for Opening Day
Red Sox manager Alex Cora was asked about Whitlock's recovery on Tuesday. According to MLB.com's Ian Browne, Cora revealed that the 28-year-old RHP is slated for another live batting practice and will be "100%" ready for the start of the 2025 season.
A couple of morning notes from Fort Myers: Giolito to make his spring debut on Thursday in Dunedin against the Blue Jays. Garrett Whitlock scheduled for another live BP. Will Whitlock be ready for the start of the season? "100 percent," said Alex Cora.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 2, 2025
It's been a long recovery for Whitlock, who last took to an MLB mound on Apr. 16, 2024. Fortunately, his rehab seems to have gone well, and he already participated in a handful of live BPs last month, including when he averaged 95 mph back on Feb. 12, per Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr.
Time will tell if Whitlock can pick up from where he left off, regardless of when he makes his 2025 debut. The Snellville, GA native was on track for the best performance of his young MLB career as he went 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA, 1.145 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings across four starts.
Having said that, all signs point to Whitlock beginning the year in Boston's bullpen. Back in January, the Red Sox righty revealed that he'll likely start as a reliever but is willing to start a game if Cora calls his name.
"I still have the repertoire and everything to start, and if they need me to do that, I'll do that," Whitlock told Browne on Jan. 11. "But just talking to (Cora) and everything... It's what we think is going to help give the team the best chance to win."
The Red Sox are looking to return to the MLB playoffs for the first time since 2021, and having a healthy Whitlock in the lineup — either as a starter or reliever — is crucial to accomplishing that goal.
For now, returning to the postseason appears to be a real possibility. FanDuel Sportsbook is currently favoring the Red Sox to qualify for the 2025 playoffs at -122 odds — an implied probability of 54.9%.
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