Whitlock allowed three runs on four hits while striking out three over two innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock followed starter Brayan Bello, who pitched six cruised innings. Whitlock cruised through the seventh before adversity struck in the eighth. He was tagged for a single, two home runs and flyout that Alex Verdugo tracked down in front of the bullpen in right field. It was the second consecutive game in which Whitlock allowed three runs and nearly wiped out a stellar pitching effort by a starter. Prior to his last two outings, the right-hander pitched well since returning from a hip injury July 15, including five saves, two holds, a 1.59 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 22.2 innings.

Whitlock struck out one in a perfect inning and earned a save over Tampa Bay on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock needed just eight pitches to roll through the Rays in order. It was his sixth save of the year and third in his last four appearances. The 26-year-old now owns a 2.90 ERA with a 72:13 K:BB through 71.1 innings this season. Whitlock should continue seeing a large portion of Boston's save opportunities while Tanner Houck (back) is out.

Whitlock picked up the save against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two and walking none over two innings.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock threw 18 of 25 pitches for strikes in what turned out to be a two-inning save Saturday. This was the second game in a row in which Whitlock was called upon for the save. The righty has been reliable in relief, blowing just one save -- on April 8 in his first appearance of the year. Whitlock now has five saves on the season and a 3.03 ERA.

Whitlock picked up the save Sunday against the Yankees. He allowed zero runs on zero hits and zero walks while striking out two over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock was perfect Sunday, striking out Benintendi and Judge before getting Donaldson to ground out to record his third save on the season. With Tanner Houck injured, Whitlock has split save opportunities with John Schreiber. Whitlock has a strong 2.98 ERA and 0.98 WHIP and has only blown one save opportunity in 23 appearances this season, but Schreiber has also been great. Expect the two relievers to continue splitting opportunities as long as Houck is sidelined.

Whitlock (3-2) pitched the final two innings of Friday's 10-inning win over the Yankees, striking out three and walking one while not allowing a hit or a run.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock entered with the Red Sox down one in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order. Boston tied the game in the bottom of the inning, and Whitlock remained on the mound to start extras, walking Aaron Judge to start the frame before getting three consecutive outs. Tommy Pham's walkoff single in the bottom of the 10th gave Whitlock and the Red Sox a win.

Whitlock earned the save over the Guardians on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings.

EDGE Analysis

Kutter Crawford and Jake Diekman combined to limit Cleveland to one run over seven innings, and Whitlock took over in the eighth with Boston holding a 4-1 lead. The right-hander allowed a run in that frame but pitched a scoreless ninth to finish off the save. Whitlock has picked up a two-inning save in each of his past two appearances, and given the ineffectiveness at the back end of Boston's bullpen this season, he could be emerging as the team's primary closer.

Whitlock struck out two batters over two scoreless innings and earned a save over the Guardians on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock fired 15 of 19 pitches for strikes and had no trouble mowing down Cleveland's lineup. It was his second save of the year and first since April 19. In four appearances since returning from the injured list, Whitlock has punched out nine batters over six shutout frames. It's unclear how Boston plans to use its bullpen moving forward as John Schreiber earned the win and Tanner Houck did not pitch Monday.

Whitlock struck out three over two scoreless innings in Friday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock, making his first appearance after being activated off the injured list, held Boston's one-run lead by setting down the side in order over the seventh and eighth innings. He had been a starter before hitting the IL, but Whitlock will serve a multi-inning relief role that could involve save opportunities. Closer Tanner Houck eventually blew the save Friday, but he's pitched well otherwise while stabilizing Boston's ninth-inning relief issues.

Whitlock (hip) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock served mainly as a starter for the Red Sox early in the season, posting a 3.51 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 48.2 innings over 13 appearances (nine starts). However, he served as a multi-inning reliever during his rehab assignment and allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out four in four innings over two appearances. The right-hander will pitch out of the bullpen for Boston following his activation, which will hinder his fantasy value since he isn't expected to be a regular part of the team's ninth-inning mix. Whitlock will be one of the top options to fill in as a starter if needed.

Manager Alex Cora said the Red Sox will likely activate Whitlock (hip) from the 15-day injured list prior to Friday's series opener with the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock will be making his return to the Red Sox as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen, even though he enjoyed a good deal of success in his nine starts for Boston prior to landing on the IL on June 10 with right hip inflammation. Though the Red Sox view Whitlock as a starter over the long haul, the organization is hopeful that the bullpen role will maximize the right-hander's effectiveness and preserve his overall health. Since he's not expected to regularly factor into the equation for saves with Tanner Houck and John Schreiber having seemingly established themselves as the preferred options at the back end of the bullpen, Whitlock's fantasy value could take a big hit as he steps into a relief role, though he should still have some appeal as a ratio stabilizer. Whitlock is scheduled to make a two-inning rehab appearance Tuesday for Double-A Portland before the Red Sox formally activate him for the weekend series with the Yankees.