The Boston Red Sox were expected to have one of their biggest strengths in the bullpen, but things haven’t worked out that way, specially with Garrett Whitlock.
As of Friday, the New England team was leading the league in blown saves. They also ranked among the teams with the fewest holds. Garrett Whitlock has played a significant role in those struggles — in fact, he has blown four of his last five outings.
“I’m not giving him a mulligan,” said Alex Cora on Friday. “We’ve got to remember that this kid came back from surgery last year. He’s just now getting back to competing. Considering all those factors, maybe you have to lower the leverage with him for a while.”
Whitlock was expected to be one of the Red Sox’s top arms in the bullpen, along with Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten, and Aroldis Chapman. But the right-hander only pitched in four games last season due to injury.
So far, he has allowed 12 runs in 22.1 innings in 2025. He owns a 4.43 ERA and has already given up two home runs.
“I think we pushed the envelope,” Cora added. “He went in back-to-back outings. That’s a no-no. I think we need to get back to discipline — if he goes one day, he rests the next.”
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Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten, and Garrett Whitlock have allowed a combined 32 runs over 58 innings. Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson have been the most successful pitchers in the Red Sox bullpen so far.
