The Red Sox placed Whitlock (hip) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

While he works his way back to full health following the right hip surgery he underwent last September, Whitlock will open the season on the shelf and miss his first turn through the rotation. Whitlock hasn't hit any snags in his recovery and most recently through a four-inning, 63-pitch outing in a minor-league game at spring training, so he already appears to be on his way to getting fully stretched out. He'll likely make a minor-league rehab start before coming off the IL when he's first eligible April 11 or shortly thereafter.

Whitlock (hip) threw 63 pitches across four innings in a minor-league game Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock is set to open the year on the injured list after building up slowly this spring as he recovers from September hip surgery. He's making good progress, however, and is scheduled to start Triple-A Worcester's home opener March 30. Given that he's already up to four innings of work, he should be ready to handle a starter's workload once he's activated off the injured list.

Whitlock (hip) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on March 31, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be Worcester's Opening Day and could be the only rehab outing Whitlock requires before joining the Red Sox' rotation. The right-hander is healthy but has been brought along slowly in camp following offseason hip surgery.

Whitlock (hip) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock made his first spring training start Monday, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the 26-year-old righty will need to make three more starts before he's ready to rejoin Boston's rotation. Those three starts (plus four rest days between each start) put him in line to return by mid-April.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Whitlock (hip) who is scheduled to pitch in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, will likely require three more starts to build up before he's ready to join the big-league rotation, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Based on that timeline, Cora confirmed that Whitlock won't be in consideration for making the Red Sox's fifth start of the regular season, likely paving the way for Kutter Crawford to break camp as the final member of the team's rotation. Whitlock is scheduled to pitch three innings Monday before covering four innings in his next outing and then five innings in his final two starts prior to coming off the injured list, according to Cora. Assuming he sticks to a normal four-day rest schedule between those outings, Whitlock would be on pace to be activated as soon as April 9.

Whitlock (hip) will start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Mac Cerullo of The North Andover Eagle-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock will make his second appearance of the spring as he works his way back from the hip surgery that has sidelined him for the majority of the exhibition season. The 26-year-old right-hander is expected to open the year on the injured list, but the fact he's making starts in spring training gives him a great chance of making that a short stint assuming there are no setbacks over the next two weeks.

Whitlock (hip) walked one and struck out three over two scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock looked impressive in his spring debut following rehab from hip surgery. While he pitched in relief Wednesday, following five strong innings from Corey Kluber, the right-hander is expected to be a starter in 2023. Whitlock will not be ready for the opening series and could miss up to two April starts, but the positives of his Grapefruit League debut outweigh a couple of missed cold-weather starts.

Whitlock (hip) threw live batting practice Saturday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Both Whitlock and Brayan Bello (forearm) faced hitters Saturday. Whitlock, who showed no ill effects from the right hip surgery he had last September, threw two innings and worked his pitch count to 46. It was the second live throwing session this week for the right-hander, who is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against the Rays. There's an outside chance Whitlock is ready for the start of the season, but it seems more likely the Red Sox take a measured approach in his progression. He could miss one or two starts.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (hip) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock still hasn't participated in fielding drills in the Grapefruit League, but the right-hander has been throwing off the mound and will face hitters again on Saturday. His status for Opening Day is still very much in doubt, but good showings on Saturday and his upcoming bullpens gives him a chance to return in the early part of April if there are no setbacks.

Whitlock (hip) may not be game-ready to open the regular season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock has been throwing off a mound and to hitters, but his recovery from hip surgery has prevented him from participating in fielding drills thus far. The Red Sox are unlikely to rush things with a key piece of their rotation, so Whitlock may begin the season on the shelf while he prepares to take on a starter's workload.