Whitlock struck out three over two perfect innings to earn his first career hold in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock entered the game in the sixth inning with Boston clinging to a one-run lead and set down all six batters he faced on just 20 pitches. After his debut earlier this week, when he struck out five over 3.1 innings, manager Alex Cora told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com that he would try to expose the Rule 5 draft pick to higher leverage situations. That's exactly what the manager did Thursday. "He belongs," Cora said. "The tempo, the conviction. Most of the time, Rule 5 guys don't shake off your catcher, but he knows what he wants to do, and he does." Whitlock is still viewed as a starter in the long term, and Cora plans to use him in a variety of relief roles.

Whitlock allowed three hits and struck out five over 3.1 innings in Sunday's 11-3 loss to the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

There wasn't a whole lot for Boston to feel good about in its three-game series against Baltimore, but they can be pleased with how Whitlock performed Sunday. The Red Sox were outscored 18-5 and batted .160 during the three games. Whitlock, the Rule 5 pick from the Yankees, was needed early following the eggs laid by starter Garrett Richards (six runs, two-plus innings) and reliever Josh Taylor (four runs, two-thirds). The Tommy John survivor, who hadn't pitched since 2019, pounded the zone with a fastball that topped out at 96.9 MPH. Sunday's effort was a continuation of a remarkable spring training during which Whitlock struck out 12 and walked none over nine innings. His role to open the season is that of a multi-inning reliever, but the 24-year-old right-hander could operate as a starter if the need arises.

Whitlock will break camp with the Red Sox, Mark Feisand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock, the Rule 5 draft pick from the Yankees, hasn't appeared during the regular season since 2019 when he went 3-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 starts for Double-A Trenton. He'll work out of Boston's bullpen in 2021 after giving up one run on eight hits while striking out 12 and walking none over nine Grapefruit League innings. It's expected he'll be used as a multi-inning reliever.

Whitlock allowed two hits and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Sunday's spring game against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock, a Rule 5 draft pick, owns a 1.50 ERA with seven strikeouts and no walks over six spring innings. A starter in the minors, Whitlock appears to be winning a spot in Boston's bullpen, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox selected Whitlock with the fourth pick of the Rule 5 draft.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old righty most recently logged a 3.07 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 57:18 K:BB in 70.1 innings at Double-A in 2019 as a member of the Yankees organization. He doesn't throw very hard, but has three potentially average offerings and could eventually develop into a back-end starter. Boston will likely use him as a long reliever and swing man in 2021.